The FAA has announced that it has restricted drone use over several national US landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. The FAA said the new restrictions are in place at the request of US security and law enforcement agencies.
Under the new restriction, drones will no longer be able to fly within 400ft of the following sites:
- Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York, NY
- Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston, MA
- Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA
- Folsom Dam; Folsom, CA
- Glen Canyon Dam; Lake Powell, AZ
- Grand Coulee Dam; Grand Coulee, WA
- Hoover Dam; Boulder City, NV
- Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; St. Louis, MO
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Keystone, SD
- Shasta Dam; Shasta Lake, CA
This expands the FAA’s current list of no-fly zones, which includes some army bases, major sports stadiums, national parks, and major airports. Last month, the Pentagon approved a measure that would let the US military shoot down drones in no-fly areas it considered a threat.
Exceptions to the new restriction can be made, but must be coordinated in conjunction with the FAA and the particular site in question. Those who are in violation will be subject to penalties that can include fines or criminal charges, though enforcement has historically been inconsistent and disorganized. The new restrictions will be effective on October 5, and the FAA said it is also considering additional requests from federal agencies for future drone restrictions.
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