Snapshot

Federal Relations Gov't moves to ban drones in 400 national parks Published June 20, 2014Associated Press 54 The National Park Service is taking steps to ban drones from 84 million acres of public lands and waterways, saying the unmanned aircraft annoy visitors, harass wildlife and threaten safety. Jonathan Jarvis, the park service's director, told The Associated Press he doesn't want drones flushing birds from their nests, hovering over rock climbers as they cling to the sides of cliffs or buzzing across the face of Mount Rushmore. Jarvis said he would sign a policy memorandum on Friday directing superintendents of the service's 401 parks to write rules prohibiting the launching, landing or operation of unmanned aircraft in their parks. Two large national parks, Grand Canyon in Arizona and Zion in Utah, have already changed their rules to ban drones. Some other parks have interpreted existing regulations to permit them to ban drone flights, but Jarvis said each park must change its "compendium" -- a set of regulations unique to that park -- if a ban is to be enforceable. At Yosemite National Park in California, where officials announced last month they would adopt a policy prohibiting drone flights, hobbyists have been using unmanned aircraft to film the park's famous waterfalls and capture close-up shots of climbers on its granite cliffs. Zion officials were spurred to take action after an incident in which an unmanned aircraft was seen harassing bighorn sheep and causing youngsters to become separated from their herd. At Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, park rangers last September confiscated an unmanned aircraft after it flew above 1,500 visitors seated in an amphitheater and then over the heads of the four presidents carved into the mountain. "Imagine you're a big wall climber in Yosemite working on a four-day climb up El Capitan, and you're hanging off a bulb ready to make a (difficult) move, and an unmanned aircraft flies up beside you and is hovering a few feet from your head with its GoPro camera running," Jarvis said in an interview. "Think about what that does to your experience and your safety," Some drone operators have complained that a ban favors some park users over others. They also say many unmanned aircraft flights are made without incident and with respect for other park users and wildlife. Unmanned aircraft range from no bigger than a hummingbird to the size of an airliner, and their capabilities are improving rapidly. Use is growing as their price tags decline. The park service wants to get out in front of that by putting in rules place now, Jarvis said. "This is a different kind of aircraft, and it is being used in different ways than what we have seen from the (model aircraft) hobbyists," he said. "We want to have some control over it now before it proliferates." The memorandum directs superintendents to continue to allow model aircraft hobbyists and clubs that already have approval to operate in some parks to continue to do so. Also, parks can continue to grant permits for drone flights for other purposes like research, search and rescue, and firefighting, he said. Commercial operators like moviemakers can also apply for a permit to operate a drone, he said. "We would have to hear why they would necessarily need this type of equipment in order to accomplish their goals," Jarvis said. While parks are changing their individual rules, the park service will be drafting its own rule to ban drone flights in parks nationwide, he said. Jarvis said he hopes to have a proposal ready in about 18 months. The ban only affects what Jarvis described as "operations inside parks," and not high altitude flights over parks. The park service has been working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, although the service's action is separate from the FAA's ban on commercial drone flights, he said. The FAA ban is being challenged by commercial drone operators. Two years ago, Congress directed the FAA to put regulations in place provide for the safe integration of commercial drones into the national airspace. The regulations were supposed be finished by September 2015, but the agency isn't expected to make that deadline.

Like charging $5.00 to get draw results on the telephone

Wonder if the Puppetmaster gave him a parting smooch. Along with a Gag order.

A few more weeks. That picture reminds me of a time when I was guiding one season up in Montana.Almost like your pic, except it was twilight. I was riding my horse with 2 horses lead roped behind me. It's almost dark, and I get to the top of the plateau and a nice bull elk steps out of the timber, and lets out a whopper of a bugle. Next thing I know I was in the middle of a bucking bronc rodeo, and Snapshot was hanging on for dear life. trying to find those two knuckleheads horses in the dark. I wanted to kill that Elk just for spite. Mr. Snapshot and horses just don't like each other.

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Let's just hope it is not used as a ploy to close Federal lands to hunting, or anything else.

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I think my Dad had one of those books. Also a book on Ben Lilly, who trapped, and hunted Bears/Cats in the Blue area. Unfortunately, my stepmother wouldn't let me have his book collection after he passed away. One of these days I will have to get a copy.

Maybe the Grizzlies will eat the Wolves? One could only hope.

I sent him a p.m, he said he would post some pics.?

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You're all a bunch of poachers ......now let me tell you about the time I accidentally drove my Camaro onto the 49'ers Country Club golf course in the middle of the night. I was wondering why the road was so narrow.

Since you have it jacked up, bolt some 4" x 6" skids to the bottom, with a 30 to 45 degree angle cut on the ends. Drill a hole through the skids big enough for a chain, and drag it .

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The Cicadas outside my place are almost deafening this morning. Wish I could go to Lee's Ferry, and get in on some Cicada fishing action.

Frogs that stay in the pot are called DEMOCRATS.

What better way for the Fed's to make $750 million disappear.

We will see how raising the minimum wage to $15.00 PH, in Washington (Seattle) will work for them. Your $4.00 coffee just doubled to $8.00. A person flipping burgers in Micky D's, will be making as much as some skilled blue collar guy's. Everyone buy's stuff where it's the cheapest. But if we support small business, it will help keep them afloat. I am an ex small business owner, crushed by the implosion of 2008. I know how it feels to go under. I hate to see that happen to good folks.

I have done business with Cabela's since the 1970's. Always liked them. They probably started out small. I do like giving my patronage to small business when I can. It helps small business thrive, and keeps the money in the local economy.

I am not a Steeler's fan, but Chuck Noll is a coaching Legend. A Hall of Fame coach who always put a good team on the field.

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