Political Quotes

“This amendment requires the FAA to consider the economic viability of commercial air tours over national parks. In 2022, the National Park Service recorded 312 million recreational visits to our national parks. This number reflects the overwhelming significance our parks have to the American public. They serve as a place of recreation, a place used to teach new generations about conservation and wildlife, and a place to admire the beauty of our great outdoors in the U.S. National park air tour management plans are in place to help protect the sanctity of our parks from incessant helicopter overflights, which can disrupt both the wildlife and the natural beauty of the parks visitors enjoy. Mr. Chair, I urge everyone to protect our parks from the noise and disturbance of increased helicopter tours by voting ``no'' on this amendment. This amendment would require air tour management plans to consider profits in the development of those plans, which would undoubtedly increase the number of helicopters flying above our parks. This runs contrary to the original purpose of these management plans, which is to protect the integrity of the parks. Helicopter tours are an incredible way to see national parks for the privileged few, but they simultaneously degrade the park experience for the vast majority of other park visitors. Our national parks were created as a public good, to preserve our natural wonders for all Americans to enjoy.…”