The Federal Aviation Administration expanded its drone flight restrictions yesterday to include major U.S. landmarks at the request of the U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies.
The new regulation prevents drone flights within 400 feet of 10 Department of the Interior sites: the Statue of Liberty, Boston National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Folsom Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, Grand Coulee Dam, Hoover Dam, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Mount Rushmore and Shasta Dam.
The restrictions take effect on October 5, and violations are subject to “enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.” To inform the public of restricted areas, the FAA created an online interactive map, also available through its mobile app.
These restrictions build on the FAA’s current no-fly zones, which include army bases, sports stadiums, airports and national parks. The agency continues to collect requests from other federal agencies for drone flight restrictions. Exemptions to the restrictions are available through the FAA and the particular site.
Last month, the Pentagon adopted a new policy allowing military bases to shoot down commercial drones viewed as a threat.
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