Problems associated with low flying aircraft over sensitive natural resource areas will be lessened through an agreement signed January 15, 1993, by representatives of three Department of the Interior land management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Aircraft flying at low altitudes over wilderness areas, bird rookeries, and other natural areas can disturb wildlife and reduce the enjoyment of people using these areas for recreation. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management recently negotiated this agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration aimed at reducing these incidents.
Under the agreement, the agencies will identify specific areas where low-flying aircraft are creating problems and will inform pilots and urge voluntary compliance with an existing 2000 foot-above-ground-level (AGL) minimum altitude. The FAA previously recognized this as the minimum requested altitude for aircraft operations over lands managed by the three agencies.
In addition, the agreement calls for development of a standardized reporting system for low flying aircraft incidents, increased communications among the agencies, and investigation, or other follow-up efforts concerning reported incidents. The agencies also will train field personnel so they can better report instances of low flying aircraft.
