The FAA said it published the new rules, which carry “potential civil penalties and criminal costs,” at “the application of US national security and law enforcement agencies.”
The new rules take effect October 5.
Here are the monuments at issue.
- Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York
- Boston National Historical Park (USS Constitution), Boston
- Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia
- Folsom Dam, Folsom, California
- Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, Arizona
- Grand Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee, Washington State
- Hoover Dam, Boulder City, Nevada
- Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
- Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, California
The FAA has also begun similar guidelines around US military posts, and it has already banned drone flying with National Parks, where some of these buildings are located. The FAA said it was “considering additional requests” from other governmental agencies about barring drones shuttling near other locations.
To assure the public is aware of these checked locations, the FAA has created an interactive map online. The link to these limitations is also included in the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app. The app will be refreshed within 60 days to reflect these airspace restrictions. Additional data, including frequently required questions, is available on the FAA’s UAS website.
Operators who violate the airspace stipulations may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.
This is the first time the bureau has placed airspace restrictions for unmanned aircraft, or “drones,” over DOI landmarks. The FAA has ordered similar airspace restrictions over armed bases that currently remain in place.
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