ACADIA NATIONAL PARK (NEWS CENTER) -- Acadia National Park is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop new regulations for scenic air tours that fly over the park.

Acadia officials say Congress passed a law nine years ago which requires all national parks to develop air tour management plans.

The regulations would only pertain to commercial scenic tours. All other types of aviation would be exempt from the regulations.

The proposed regulation area would extend to a 1/2 mile perimeter around the park boundaries and up to 5,000 above ground level.

Park officials say its designed to limit noise for park visitors and wildlife.

John Kelly, the Acadia National Park planner, says, "Generally, people coming to a national park are looking forward to a quiet experience to the extent possible, and that's why these plans are designed by individual parks."  

The proposed regulations would affect two companies that are currently licensed to offer scenic tours over Acadia.

We spoke to the owners of both air tour companies. They each said that they were not prepared to comment at this time.