Commercial overflights are to be banned at Canyon De Chelly National Monument

White House Ruins, Canyon de Chelly National Monument/Kurt Repanshek

Commercial overflights at Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument will be banned by the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration under an air tour management plan developed by the authorities.

The plan approved Friday prohibits commercial air tours over the park and within a half-mile outside its boundary to protect natural and cultural resources, sacred tribal sites, wilderness areas and visitor experiences. It will come into force in 180 days.

“Banning commercial air travel protects the cultural and spiritual significance of these lands to the Navajo Nation,” said Lyn Carranza, Canyon de Chelly superintendent. “The Canyon de Chelly National Monument Air Tour Management Plan honors the unique relationship between nations regarding decisions impacting the park and helps preserve one of the most important archaeological landscapes in the Southwest.”

The plan addresses many unique challenges while improving the condition of park resources and assets, ensuring safe air tour operations, and addressing concerns of the Navajo Nation. It was developed through the collaboration of the FAA and NPS in consultation with the Navajo Nation.

The final ATMP and EA data reflect public input received during a 30-day public comment period. Changes in response to these public comments can be found in the final ATMP and final EA/Errata on the PEPC project website.

Commercial air tours without operating parameters have been carried out over Canyon de Chelly for many years. Implementing an ATMP helps protect park resources, visitor experiences, and tribal lands within the ATMP boundary without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is one of several national parks for which the NPS and the FAA have developed or are currently developing an air tour management plan or voluntary agreement to meet the requirements of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act. Each ATMP or voluntary agreement is designed to manage commercial air travel in a manner consistent with the mission of the NPS, the purposes of the individual park, and the authority of the FAA regarding aviation safety.

The final ATMP is available on the Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CACHATMP.