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June192014

PolicyMemorandum1405

To:RegionalDirectors
Superintendents

From:Director/s/JonathanB.Jarvis

Subject:UnmannedAircraftInterimPolicy

Introduction

TherehasbeendramaticgrowththroughouttheUnitedStatesinthenumbersanduseofunmannedaircraftduringrecentyears.Thelikelyincreaseintheuseofthesedevicesinunits
oftheNationalParkSystemwillundoubtedlyimpactparkresources,staff,andvisitorsinwaysthathaveyettobeidentified.Recentuseofunmannedaircraftinseveralparkareashas
generatedanumberofquestionsbyparkmanagersregardingconcernsabouttheircompatibilitywiththeNationalParkService(NPS)mission.

AsusedinthisPolicyMemorandumanditsexhibits,thetermparkmeansanyunitoftheNationalParkSystem.

Purpose

ThepurposeofthisPolicyMemorandumistoensurethattheuseofunmannedaircraftisaddressedinaconsistentmannerbytheNPSbeforeasignificantlevelofsuchuseoccurs
withintheNationalParkSystem.Accordingly,Idirecteachsuperintendenttousetheauthorityunder36CFR1.5tocloseunitsoftheNationalParkSystemtolaunching,landing,or
operatingunmannedaircraft,subjecttotheconditionsandexceptionsdescribedbelow.ThisactionmustbetakenbysuperintendentsnolaterthanAugust20,2014.

ForpurposesofthisPolicyMemorandum,theterm"unmannedaircraft"meansadevicethatisusedorintendedtobeusedforflightintheairwithoutthepossibilityofdirecthuman
interventionfromwithinoronthedevice,andtheassociatedoperationalelementsandcomponentsthatarerequiredforthepilotorsystemoperatorincommandtooperateorcontrol
thedevice(suchascameras,sensors,communicationlinks).Thistermincludesalltypesofdevicesthatmeetthisdefinition(e.g.,modelairplanes,quadcopters,drones)thatareused
foranypurpose,includingforrecreationorcommerce.

Background

ThecompendiumclosuresrequiredtoimplementthisinterimpolicyarenecessarytomaintainpublichealthandsafetyinunitsoftheNationalParkSystemandtoprotectpark
resourcesandvaluesuntiltheNPScandeterminewhetherspecificusesofunmannedaircraftonlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNPSareappropriateandwillnotcause
unacceptableimpactsonparkresourcesandvalues.TheseclosuresbythesuperintendentsimplementSection1.5ofNPSManagementPolicies2006,whichprovidesthatanewform
ofparkusemaybeallowedwithinaparkonlyafteradeterminationhasbeenmadeintheprofessionaljudgmentofthesuperintendentthatitwillnotresultinunacceptableimpactson
[1]
parkresourcesandvalues. Whenproposedparkusesandtheprotectionofparkresourcesandvaluescomeintoconflict,theprotectionofresourcesandvaluesmustbepredominant.

Exceptforthelimitedexistinguseofmodelaircraftinsomeparks,theuseofunmannedaircraftonlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNPSisanewparkuse.Asunmannedaircraft
havebecomemoreaffordableandeasiertooperate,theyhavebeguntoappearinsomeparkareas.AlthoughtheiruseremainsrelativelyinfrequentacrosstheNationalParkSystem,
thisnewusehasthepotentialtocauseunacceptableimpactssuchasharmingvisitors,interferingwithrescueoperations,causingexcessivenoise,impactingviewsheds,anddisturbing
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
wildlife. RecentincidentsatGrandCanyonNationalPark, ZionNationalPark, andMountRushmoreNationalMemorial supporttheneedfortherequiredclosuresto
enableaproperevaluationofthisnewuse.Theseclosuresareanecessary,interimmeasurewhilethisnewusecanbeproperlyevaluated.

AnotherreasonfortherequiredclosuresisthatcurrentNPSregulationsdonotspecificallyaddresslaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraft.Theprohibitiononoperatingor
usinganaircraftin36CFR2.17(a)(1)doesnotapplytounmannedaircraftbecausethedefinitionofaircraftin36CFR1.4islimitedtodevicesusedorintendedtobeusedforhuman
flight.Further,section2.17(a)(3)couldbeconstruedtoapplyonlytounmannedaircraftwhenusedtodeliverorretrieveanobjectfromNPSadministeredlands.ExhibitAtothis
PolicyMemorandumlistsotherregulationsin36CFRthatmayapplytotheuseofunmannedaircraftundercertaincircumstances.

BecausetheexistingNPSregulationscanonlybeusedtoaddressunmannedaircraftincertaincircumstances,thebestwayatthistimeforsuperintendentstoaddresstheuseof
unmannedaircraftistoexercisetheirauthoritypursuantto36CFR1.5.

REQUIREDACTIONS

AllsuperintendentsmusttakethefollowingactionsnolaterthanAugust20,2014,exceptthatactions6through8mustbetakenimmediatelyuponthereceiptofthisPolicy
Memorandum.Regionaldirectorswillensurethateveryparkcomplieswiththispolicybythedaterequired.

1.Insertthefollowingclosurelanguageintheparkcompendium:

Authority:36CFR1.5

Definition:

Theterm"unmannedaircraft"meansadevicethatisusedorintendedtobeusedforflightintheairwithoutthepossibilityofdirecthumaninterventionfromwithinor
onthedevice,andtheassociatedoperationalelementsandcomponentsthatarerequiredforthepilotorsystemoperatorincommandtooperateorcontrolthedevice
(suchascameras,sensors,communicationlinks).Thistermincludesalltypesofdevicesthatmeetthisdefinition(e.g.,modelairplanes,quadcopters,drones)thatare
usedforanypurpose,includingforrecreationorcommerce.

ClosureLanguage:

Launching,landing,oroperatinganunmannedaircraftfromoronlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNationalParkServicewithintheboundariesof[insertnameof
park]isprohibitedexceptasapprovedinwritingbythesuperintendent.

Existingclosuresorrestrictionsrelatedtounmannedaircraftinparkcompendiumsmustbereplacedwiththeclosurelanguagestatedabovewithintheallottedtimeframe.
Superintendentsshouldcreateacompendiumandinserttheclosurelanguageiftheirparkdoesnothaveanexistingcompendium.Superintendentsmaynotapprovetheuseof
unmannedaircraftundertheclosurelanguageunlesssuchuseisapprovedpursuanttotheprocedurescontainedinthisPolicyMemorandum.

2.Provideadequatepublicnoticeoftherequiredcompendiumclosureinaccordancewith36CFR1.7(a)byusingoneormoreofthefollowingmethods:signs,maps,publication
inalocalorregionalnewspaper,electronicmedia,parkbrochures,orhandouts.

3.Pursuantto36CFR1.5(c),prepareawrittendeterminationjustifyingtheclosure.

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Thedeterminationmustexplainwhytheactionisnecessaryforoneormoreofthereasonssetoutin36CFR1.5(a).Thesereasonsincludethemaintenanceofpublichealth
andsafety,protectionofenvironmentalorscenicvalues,protectionofnaturalorculturalresources,implementationofmanagementresponsibilities,equitableallocationand
useoffacilities,ortheavoidanceofconflictamongvisitoruseactivities.Asappropriate,theexplanationmayaddresstheprotectionofspecificresources,suchaswildlife,
[6]
andendangeredandthreatenedspeciesinparticular,incompatibilitywithareasthatareeligible,studied,proposed,recommended,orofficiallydesignatedaswilderness,
unreasonablenoise,orimpactstoviewshed.Superintendentsshouldconsiderthepurposesforwhichtheparkwasestablishedwhenarticulatingthereasonsfortheclosure.
SuperintendentsmayalsocitethereasonsexplainedintheBackgroundsectionofthisPolicyMemorandum.

Inaddition,thedeterminationmustincludeawrittenexplanationofwhylessrestrictivemeasureswillnotsuffice.

SuperintendentsmayrefertoManagementPoliciessection1.5(statedabove)whichrequirescautionwhenaparkisconfrontedwithanewparkusesuchasunmannedaircraft.
Inaddition,thedeterminationmayexplainthatthecompendiumclosureisanecessary,interimmeasureuntiltheNPSconsidershowtoaddressthisnewuseonalongterm
basisandthatallowingtheuseofunmannedaircraftbeforetheparkhasproperlyevaluatedwhetherthisuseisappropriatecouldresultinunacceptableimpactstopark
resources,parkvalues,andvisitorsafety.

Forparksthathaveexistingclosuresorrestrictionsrelatingtounmannedaircraft,superintendentsshouldreviewandsupplementthewrittendeterminationsjustifyingsuch
closuresorrestrictionsbaseduponthefindingsanddirectionofthisPolicyMemorandum.Superintendentsmustsignanddatethewrittendeterminationdescribedinthissection
andshouldplaceitinthecompendium.

4.CompleteanEnvironmentalScreeningFormtoevaluatethelevelofnecessarycompliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(NEPA).Therequired
compendiumclosurewillordinarilyfallwithinthecategoricalexclusionunder516DM12.5(D)(2)(Minorchangesinamountsortypesofvisitoruseforthepurposeof
ensuringvisitorsafetyorresourceprotectioninaccordancewithexistingregulations.)orotherprovisionsoftheDepartmentalManualorDirectorsOrder#12Handbook.

5.Complywithallotherapplicablelaws,regulations,andpoliciessuchas,butnotlimitedto,theEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)andtheNationalHistoricPreservationAct
(NHPA).TherequiredcompendiumclosurewillordinarilyresultinafindingofnoeffectonlistedspeciesundertheESAandafindingofnoeffectonhistoricpropertiesunder
theNHPA.

6.Exceptforexistingpermitsformodelaircraftdescribedinparagraph1(a)below(seeConditionsandExceptions),suspendallspecialusepermitsissuedfortheoperationof
unmannedaircraftuntiltheyhavebeenreviewedandapprovedinwritingbytheAssociateDirector,VisitorandResourceProtection(ADVRP).

7.NotissueanynewspecialusepermitsfortheuseofunmannedaircraftunlesstheyhavebeenapprovedbytheADVRPunderparagraph1(d)below(seeConditionsand
Exceptions).

8.Notauthorizeanybusinessoperationsusingunmannedaircraftunder36CFR5.3,exceptforactivitiesconductedunderspecialusepermitsapprovedbytheADVRPunder
paragraph1(d)below(seeConditionsandExceptions).

ConditionsandExceptions

1.Therequiredcompendiumclosuresdonotapplytothefollowingactivities:

(a)Theuse,authorizedinwritingpriortothedateofthisPolicyMemorandum,ofmodelaircraft(asthattermisusedinFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)Advisory
Circular9157andsection336oftheFAAReauthorizationActof2012)forhobbyistandrecreationaluseatlocationsandunderconditions(i)establishedbythe
superintendentinthecompendiumor(ii)issuedunderaspecialusepermit.Continuedactivitiesundertheseexistingauthoritiesareallowed,butrenewalsandmodifications
ofthesecompendiumprovisionsorpermitsmustbeapprovedinwritingbytheADVRP.Superintendentsoftheseparksshouldnoteintheircompendiumsthattherequired
closuresdonotapplytotheseestablisheduses.
(b)AdministrativeuseofunmannedaircraftasapprovedinwritingbytheADVRPforsuchpurposesasscientificstudy,searchandrescueoperations,fireoperations,andlaw
enforcement.Administrativeuseincludestheuseofunmannedaircraftby(i)NPSpersonnelasoperatorsorcrew(ii)cooperatorssuchasgovernmentagenciesand
universitiesthatconductunmannedaircraftoperationsfortheNPSpursuanttoawrittenagreementand(iii)otherentities,includingcommercialentities,conducting
unmannedaircraftoperationsfortheNPS,providedsuchentitiesareincompliancewithallapplicableFAAandDepartmentoftheInteriorrequirements.Aseparateguidance
packagewillbeprovidedforparksrequestingapprovalforadministrativeuseofunmannedaircraft.
(c)ActivitiesconductedunderaScientificResearchandCollectingPermitthatspecificallyauthorizeslaunching,landing,oroperatinganunmannedaircraftandisapprovedin
writingbytheADVRPinconsultationwiththeAssociateDirectorforNaturalResourceStewardshipandScience.
(d)Activitiesconductedunderaspecialusepermitthatspecificallyauthorizeslaunching,landing,oroperatinganunmannedaircraftandisapprovedinwritingbytheADVRP.
SuperintendentsshouldrefertoExhibitBiftheyintendtoseekapprovalforaspecialusepermitunderthisexception.

2.ThecompendiumclosuresrequiredbythisPolicyMemorandumdonotapplytolaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftfromoronnonfederallyownedlandslocated
withintheexteriorboundariesofunitsoftheNationalParkSystem.However,inaccordancewith36CFR1.2(a)(3),thecompendiumclosureappliestosuchactivitiesconducted
onwaterssubjecttothejurisdictionoftheUnitedStateslocatedwithintheboundariesoftheNationalParkSystem.

3.NothinginthisPolicyMemorandumwillbeconstruedasmodifyinganyrequirementimposedbytheFAAontheuseoroperationofunmannedaircraftintheNationalAirspace
System.TheNPSwillcontinuetocoordinatewiththeFAAonnationalorotherappropriatelevelsregardingtheuseofunmannedaircraftonlandsandwatersadministeredbythe
NPS.

4.ThisPolicyMemorandumwillremainineffectuntilsupersededorrescindedbytheDirector.

ExhibitCcontainsalistofFrequentlyAskedQuestionsaboutthisPolicyMemorandum.QuestionsaboutthisPolicyMemorandummayalsobedirectedtotheAssociateDirector,
VisitorandResourceProtectionat(202)5651020.PointsofcontactforspecificissuesrelatedtothisPolicyMemorandum,suchasmediaandexternalcommunications,areidentified
intheattachedexhibitsthatprovideadditionalinformation.

EndofPolicyMemorandum

ExhibitA
Listof36CFRRegulations

PolicyMemorandum1405(UnmannedAircraftInterimPolicy)directssuperintendentstoaddressunmannedaircraftusethroughacompendiumclosureunder36CFR1.5.Under
certaincircumstances,however,thefollowingexisting36CFRregulationsmayalsoapply.Theseexistingauthoritiesshouldbeusedcarefullytoensurethatallelementsofthecited
offensearepresent.
Iftheunmannedaircraftcausedatakeofwildlife(whichincludespursuitorharassment)oranintentionaldisturbanceofwildlifenesting,breeding,orotheractivities,theuser
couldbecitedforaviolationof36CFR2.2(a).
Iftheuseroftheunmannedaircraftknowinglyorrecklesslycreatedariskofpublicalarmornuisancebycausingnoisethatwasunreasonableunderthecircumstancesorby
creatingahazardousorphysicallyoffensivecondition,theusercouldbecitedfordisorderlyconductunder36CFR2.34.

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36CFR2.12(a)(3)prohibits,innondevelopedareas,operatingadevicepoweredbyaportablemotororengine,exceptpursuanttothetermsandconditionsofapermit.This
provisiondoesnotapplyindevelopedareas,whicharedefinedinsection1.4asroads,parkingareas,picnicareas,campgrounds,orotherstructures,facilities,orlands
locatedwithindevelopmentandhistoriczonesdepictedontheparkarealandmanagementandusemap.
Othersectionsmayapplyonacasebycasebasis.
PleasecontactRussWilson,Chief,DivisionofJurisdiction,Regulations,andSpecialParkUses(russ_wilson@nps.gov2022084206)orJayCalhoun,RegulationsProgram
Specialist,(john_calhoun@nps.gov2022082862),withanyquestionsaboutexisting36CFRregulations.

ExhibitB
SpecialParkUsesPermittingGuidanceforUnmannedAircraft

Background

PolicyMemorandum1405(UnmannedAircraftInterimPolicy)requiresallsuperintendentstoinsertclosurelanguageintheparkcompendiumprohibitinglaunching,landing,or
operatingunmannedaircraftfromoronlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNationalParkService(NPS),subjecttotheexceptionsandconditionsdescribedinthePolicy
Memorandum.

Oneofthoseexceptions,listedinparagraph1(d)ofthePolicyMemorandum(seeConditionsandExceptions),allowsforactivitiesunderaspecialusepermit(SUP)thatspecifically
authorizeslaunching,landing,oroperatinganunmannedaircraftandthatisapprovedinwritingbytheAssociateDirector,VisitorandResourceProtection(ADVRP).

AsdefinedinthePolicyMemorandum,unmannedaircraftmeansadevicethatisusedorintendedtobeusedforflightintheairwithoutthepossibilityofdirecthumanintervention
fromwithinoronthedevice,andtheassociatedoperationalelementsandcomponentsthatarerequiredforthepilotorsystemoperatorincommandtooperateorcontrolthedevice
(suchascameras,sensors,communicationlinks).Thistermincludesalltypesofdevicesthatmeetthisdefinition(e.g.,modelairplanes,quadcopters,drones)thatareusedforany
purpose,includingforrecreationorcommerce.

Thisguidancedocumentisdesignedtohelpsuperintendents:
DecidewhethertorequestthattheADVRPapproveanSUPallowingtheuseofunmannedaircraft.
DetermineappropriatetermsandconditionsintheSUP.
DecisionProcessWhethertoRequestApprovalforanSUP

Launching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftmayormaynotbecompatiblewithinapark.Ifpresentedwitharequesttolaunch,land,oroperateanunmannedaircraftonlands
orwatersadministeredbytheNPS,superintendentsmustusetheirprofessionaljudgmenttoadequatelyevaluatetheappropriatenessoftherequestedactivitiesanddeterminewhether
theywillresultinunacceptableimpactstoparkresourcesandvalues.Superintendentsshouldconsiderthefollowingcriteriawhenmakingthisdeterminationpriortosubmittinga
requesttotheADVRPforapproval:

Willtheactivity:
ViolateFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)regulationsforcommercialuseofunmannedaircraft.
Causeinjuryordamagetoparkresources.
Becontrarytothepurposesforwhichtheparkwasestablished,orunacceptablyimpacttheatmosphereofpeaceandtranquilitymaintainedinwilderness,natural,historic,or
commemorativelocationswithinthepark.
Unreasonablyinterferewiththeinterpretive,visitorservice,orotherprogramactivities,orwiththeadministrativeactivitiesoftheNPS.
SubstantiallyimpairtheoperationofpublicfacilitiesorservicesofNPSconcessionersorcontractors.
Presentaclearandpresentdangertopublichealthandsafety.
Resultinsignificantconflictwithotherexistinguses.
Superintendentsshouldconsidertheparksenablinglegislation,otherapplicablelaws,NPSManagementPolicies2006,DirectorsOrder#53,andRM53inthedecisionprocess.
SuperintendentsshouldcompleteanEnvironmentalScreeningFormtoevaluatethelevelofnecessarycompliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(NEPA).Issuing
anSUPforlaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftmayrequirecompliancewithNEPAandmayfallwithinacategoricalexclusionundertheDepartmentalManualor
DirectorsOrder#12Handbook.SuperintendentsshouldalsoconsiderwhethertheissuanceoftheSUPwouldimplicateanyEndangeredSpeciesActorNationalHistoricPreservation
Actconcerns.

Ifthesuperintendentdeterminestherequestedactivityisappropriateandcompatiblewiththevaluesandresourcesofthepark,heorshemayseektheapprovaloftheADVRPtoissue
anSUPthatauthorizeslaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftinthepark.RequestsforapprovalshouldbesubmittedthroughtheregionaldirectortotheADVRPand
containthefollowingmaterials:
MemorandumofrequestreferencingthePolicyMemorandum.
Briefingstatementthat,atminimum,explains(i)theactivitiesthatwouldbepermittedbytheSUP(ii)whythepermittedactivitieswouldbeappropriateandcompatiblewith
thevaluesandresourcesofthepark(iii)thepotentialforcontroversyand(iv)contactinformationattheparkforfurtherquestions.
CopyoftheproposedSUPwithallofitstermsandconditions.
SUPTermsandConditions

SUPsthatpermitlaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftfromoronlandsorwatersadministeredbytheNPSshouldclearlyidentifythedesignatedarea(s)forthese
activitieswithinthepark.SUPsshouldalsocontainappropriatetermsandconditionstoensuresafeoperationofunmannedaircraftandmitigateanyunacceptableimpactstothe
resourcesandvaluesofthepark.

InadditiontothestandardSUPconditionsincludedonallpermits,thefollowingconditionsarerequired:
Unmannedaircraftmaynotdisturborharasswildlife.
UnmannedaircraftmaynotinterferewithNPSsearchandrescue,lawenforcement,orotheremergencyoperations.
Unmannedaircraftwillnotbeflowninarecklessmanneroroutsidethedesignatedarea(s).
Operatorsmaynotoperateunmannedaircraftwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs.
Inexperiencedunmannedaircraftoperatorsmustbeaccompaniedandassistedbyanexperiencedoperator.
Operatorsmustavoidflyingdirectlyoverpeople,vessels,vehicles,orstructuresandmustavoidendangeringthelifeandpropertyofothers.

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Operatorsmustreportallaccidentsinvolvinginjury(evenminorfirstaid)andanyresourceorpropertydamagetotheNPSimmediately.NotificationtotheNPSdoesnot
relievetheoperatorfromreportingrequirementsunder49CFR830orunderaCertificateofAuthorization(COA)requiredbytheFAA.
Unmannedaircraftmustbewithinvisualsight,withnovisualaidsauthorized,oftheoperatoratalltimesduringflightoftheunmannedaircraft.
OperatorsmusthavesufficientliabilityinsuranceorproofofmembershipinanorganizationsuchastheAcademyofModelAeronautics(AMA)whichincludesinsurance
coveragewithmembership.

Optionalconditionstoconsider(selectasappropriatemayberevisedbaseduponindividualparkneeds):
Safetyline(s)mustbeestablished.Onlypersonsassociatedwithflyingtheunmannedaircraftareallowedatorinfrontofthesafetylinethatseparatestheareaofflight
operationsfromnonflightareas.
Anareaawayfromthesafetylinemustbemaintainedforspectators.Intentionalflyingbehindthesafetylineisprohibited.
Timeofdayrestrictions(considernonighttimeoperations).
Mufflersarerequiredonallflammablefuelpoweredmodels.
Pilots/Operatorswillmaketheappropriateannouncementwhentakingoff,landing,orinemergencysituations.
Firstaidkitsmustbecarriedbypilots/operators.
TheSUPmayprohibittheuseofflammableliquidsforfuelingunmannedaircraft.Ifthesuperintendentdecidestoallowflammablefuels,however,thefollowingrequirements
shouldapply:
AllflammablefuelswillbestoredincontainersthatareUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)listedandapproved.
Nomorethan5gallonsofallflammableliquidmaybeonsiteatanytime.
Afullyoperational10#ABCportablefireextinguishermustbeonsite.
Allflightoperationswillbelimitedtotimeswhenthereisnopresenceorthreatoflightningorthunderstorms,nopresenceorthreatofanytypeofprecipitation,andno
presenceofsustainedwindgreaterthan5mphorthreatofwindgustsgreaterthan10mph.
Size,weightrestrictions.
Unmannedaircraftmaynotbelaunched,landed,oroperatedfromoronareasthatareeligible,studied,proposed,recommended,orofficiallydesignatedaswilderness.
Onesinglepilotmaynotcontrolmorethanoneunmannedaircraftatthesametime.

NoteonFAAGuidelinesandRequirements:

UnliketheNPS,whichdoesnotdistinguishbetweentypesofunmannedaircraft,theFAAmakesadistinctionbetweenmodelaircraftusedbyhobbyistsforrecreationandunmanned
aircraftoperatedcommercially.FAAguidanceformodelaircraftoperationisfoundinAdvisoryCircular9157.Thisguidancemaybeusefulwhendevelopingpermittermsand
conditionsforunmannedaircraftthatqualifyasmodelaircraftasthattermisusedinAdvisoryCircular9157andsection336oftheFAAReauthorizationActof2012.

AnSUPissuedbytheNPSdoesnotexempttheoperatorfromobtainingtheappropriateauthorizationandpermitsfromtheFAAbecausetheFAAhasprimaryjurisdictionoverthe
NationalAirspaceSystem.Dependingonthetypeofunmannedaircraft,thismayincludeaCOAthatauthorizesflyingoutsideofrestrictedairspaceoranexperimentalcertificate
grantedbytheFAAforspecifictypesofmissions(e.g.,researchanddevelopment,training,marketing).Todate,itisextremelyrareforunmannedaircrafttobeflownunderan
experimentalcertificateforcompensationorhire.AstheFAAhasprimaryjurisdictionovertheNationalAirspaceSystem,theNPScannotissueapermitforacommercialunmanned
aircraftactivityunlesstheFAAhassanctionedtheflightfirst.Thus,fortheNPStopermitlaunching,landing,oroperatingcommercialunmannedaircraftwithinapark,theoperator
musthaveFAAapprovalandprovidethatdocumentationintheformofaCOApriortoissuanceofanSUP.

PleasecontactLeeDickinson,SpecialParkUsesProgramManager(lee_dickinson@nps.gov2025137092)withanyquestionsaboutSUPs.

ExhibitC
UnmannedAircraftInterimPolicyFrequentlyAskedQuestions

TheseFrequentlyAskedQuestionsaremeantasaquickreferenceguideforsuperintendentsaboutPolicyMemorandum1405(UnmannedAircraftInterimPolicy).Apress
release,mediatalkingpoints,andFrequentlyAskedQuestionsforexternalcommunicationswillbepostedonInsideNPS.TheFrequentlyAskedQuestionsdonotsupersedeorreplace
anyprovisionofthePolicyMemorandum,whichisthecontrollingdocumentthatprovidesdirectiontothefield.

1.HowdoestheNPSdefineunmannedaircraftinthePolicyMemorandum?

"Unmannedaircraft"meansadevicethatisusedorintendedtobeusedforflightintheairwithoutthepossibilityofdirecthumaninterventionfromwithinoronthedevice,and
theassociatedoperationalelementsandcomponentsthatarerequiredforthepilotorsystemoperatorincommandtooperateorcontrolthedevice(suchascameras,sensors,
communicationlinks).Thistermincludesalltypesofdevicesthatmeetthisdefinition(e.g.,modelairplanes,quadcopters,drones)thatareusedforanypurpose,includingfor
recreationorcommerce.

ThisdefinitioniscontrollingforpurposesofthePolicyMemorandumnotwithstandinganyotherdefinitionofunmannedaircraftsystemormodelaircraftbytheFederalAviation
Administration(FAA)oranyothergovernmentagencyorprivateentity.

2.WhataresuperintendentsrequiredtodounderthePolicyMemorandum?

Superintendentsmustusetheirauthorityunder36CFR1.5tocloseunitsoftheNationalParkSystemtolaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftfromoronlandsand
watersadministeredbytheNationalParkService(NPS).ThePolicyMemorandumcontainsspecificclosurelanguagethatmustbeinsertedintothecompendiumofeachpark.The
PolicyMemorandumcontainsalistofrequiredactionsthatmustbetakentoimplementthiscompendiumclosure.Theseincludeprovidingadequatenoticetothepublic,preparinga
writtendeterminationexplainingtheclosure,andcomplyingwithapplicablelawssuchastheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActandtheWildernessAct.

3.Whatisacompendium?

Acompendiumisadocumentcontainingparkspecificregulationsbaseduponthesuperintendentsauthorityunder36CFR1.5toclosealloraportionofaparkorotherwiselimit
orrestrictanactivitytomaintainpublichealthandsafety,protectenvironmentalorscenicvalues,protectnaturalorculturalresources,aidscientificresearch,implement
managementresponsibilities,equitablyallocateandusefacilities,oravoidconflictamongvisitoruseactivities.Thecompendiummustbemadeavailabletothepublicandis
typicallypostedontheparkwebsite.

4.WhycanttheNPSuseexistingregulationsin36CFRtoprohibittheuseofunmannedaircraft?

Theprohibitiononoperatingorusinganaircraftin36CFR2.17(a)(1)doesnotapplytounmannedaircraftbecausethedefinitionofaircraftin36CFR1.4islimitedtodevices
usedorintendedtobeusedforhumanflight.Further,section2.17(a)(3)couldbeconstruedtoapplyonlytounmannedaircraftwhenusedtodeliverorretrieveanobjectfromNPS
administeredlands.ExhibitBtothisPolicyMemorandumlistsotherregulationsin36CFRthatmayapplytotheuseofunmannedaircraftundercertaincircumstanceshowever,

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noneoftheseregulationsdirectlyaddresstheuseofunmannedaircraft.

5.WhenmustsuperintendentscompletetheactionsrequiredbythePolicyMemorandum?

ActionsneededtoimplementthecompendiumclosuremustbetakennolaterthanAugust20,2014.OtheractionsmustbetakenuponreceiptofthePolicyMemorandum.

6.Arethereanyexceptionstotherequiredclosureofallparkstotheuseofunmannedaircraft?

Yes.Superintendentswhohaveauthorized,priortothedateofthePolicyMemorandum,theuseofmodelaircraftforhobbyistorrecreationaluse,eitherintheparkcompendiumor
throughspecialusepermits,mayallowcontinuedactivitiesunderthoseexistingauthorities.RenewalsandmodificationsoftheseauthoritiesrequireapprovalfromtheAssociate
Director,VisitorandResourceProtection(ADVRP).

AdministrativeuseofunmannedaircraftasapprovedinwritingbytheADVRPforsuchpurposesasscientificstudy,searchandrescueoperations,fireoperations,andlaw
enforcementmaybeconducted.Administrativeuseincludestheuseofunmannedaircraftby(i)NPSpersonnelasoperatorsorcrew(ii)cooperatorssuchasgovernmentagencies
anduniversitiesthatconductunmannedaircraftoperationsfortheNPSpursuanttoawrittenagreementand(iii)otherentities,includingcommercialentities,conductingunmanned
aircraftoperationsfortheNPS,providedsuchentitiesareincompliancewithallapplicableFAAandDepartmentoftheInteriorrequirements.Aseparateguidancepackagewill
beprovidedforparksrequestingapprovalforadministrativeuseofunmannedaircraft.

ActivitiesconductedunderaScientificResearchandCollectingPermitthatauthorizeslaunching,landing,oroperatinganunmannedaircraftmaybeconductedafterapprovalby
theADVRPinconsultationwiththeAssociateDirectorforNaturalResourceStewardshipandScience.

SuperintendentsmayrequestthattheADVRPapproveaspecialusepermitthatauthorizeslaunching,landing,oroperatinganunmannedaircraftaftertakingstepsattheparklevel
todetermineandanalyzetheimpactsoftheactivity.TheproceduresformakingtheserequestsarecontainedinExhibitBtothePolicyMemorandum.

7.WhyhastheapprovallevelforadministrativeusesofunmannedaircraftbeensetattheWASOlevel?

Justastheimpactsofunmannedaircraftusebythepublichavenotbeenevaluated,theNPShasnotevaluatedwhattypesofimpactscouldbecausedbyadministrativeusesof
thesedevices.Additionally,theNPSdoesnotcurrentlyhaveapolicyframeworkinplacetogovernusebyNPSemployees(operating,purchasing,etc.).Movingforward,theNPS
willbeevaluatingthepotentialmissiontypes(e.g.,wildlifemonitoring,wildlandfireoperations,searchandrescue)andalsobelookingatwhichtypesofunmannedaircraftmay
bestbecompatibletoconducttheseoperations.SuperintendentsshouldunderstandthattherearealreadystringentDOIandFAApoliciesrelatingtofederalpurchaseanduseof
unmannedaircraft.

8.DoesthePolicyMemorandumaffecttheprimaryjurisdictionoftheFAAovertheNationalAirspaceSystem?

No.NothinginthePolicyMemorandumwillbeconstruedasmodifyinganyrequirementimposedbytheFAAontheuseoroperationofunmannedaircraftintheNationalAirspace
System.AspecialusepermitissuedbytheNPSdoesnotexempttheoperatorfromobtainingtheappropriateauthorizationandpermitsfromtheFAA.Forexample,theNPScannot
issueapermitforacommercialunmannedaircraftactivityunlesstheFAAhassanctionedtheflightfirst.TheNPSwillcontinuetocoordinatewiththeFAAonnationalorother
appropriatelevelsregardingtheuseofunmannedaircraftonlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNPS.

9.Doesitmatterwhereanunmannedaircraftisusedfortherequiredclosurestoapply?

Yes.TheNPShastheauthoritytoregulateorprohibittheuseofunmannedaircraftfromoronlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNPS.Asaresult,thecompendiumclosures
requiredbythePolicyMemorandumonlyapplytolaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftfromoronlandsandwatersadministeredbytheNPSwithintheboundariesof
thepark.Theclosuresdonotapplytolaunching,landing,oroperatingunmannedaircraftfromoronnonfederally(e.g.,privateorstate)ownedlandslocatedwithintheexterior
boundariesofthepark.Theclosuresdonotapplytotheflightofunmannedaircraftintheairspaceaboveaparkifthedeviceislaunched,landed,andoperatedfromoronlands
andwatersthatarenotadministeredbytheNPS.

10.ThePolicyMemorandumsetsforthaninterimpolicyhowdoestheNPSintendtoaddressunmannedaircraftonalongtermbasis?

TheclosuresrequiredbythePolicyMemorandumareanecessary,interimmeasurewhilethisnewusecanbeproperlyevaluated.Whiletheinterimpolicyisinplace,theNPS
willconsiderpromulgatingaServicewideregulationtobepublishedin36CFR,aprocessthatcantakeconsiderabletimeiftheruleiscomplex.

11.WherecanIobtainadditionalinformationaboutthisPolicyMemorandum?

Questionsregarding

shouldbedirectedto

Compendiumclosureactions

RegionalChiefRanger

CFRinterpretation

NationalRegulationsOffice(202)2082862

Administrativeuseofunmannedaircraft

NationalAviationManager(202)3875227

Specialusepermits

NationalSpecialParkUsesProgram(202)5137092

Mediaandexternalcommunications

NationalOfficeofCommunications(202)2086843

[1]
Similarly,withrespecttorecreationaluses,Section8.2.2ofNPSManagementPolicies2006statesthatanewformofrecreationalactivitywillnotbeallowedwithinaparkuntilasuperintendenthas
madeadeterminationthatitwillbeappropriateandnotcauseunacceptableimpacts.
[2]
SeeSection8.2ofNPSManagementPolicies2006(definingunacceptableimpacts).
[3]
OnApril14,2014,aparkvisitorreportedthatothervisitorshadlaunchedanunmannedaircraftfromtheSouthRimnearDesertViewWatchtowerwhereagroupof40visitorshadgatheredforthe
sunset.Theoperatorlostcontroloftheunmannedaircraft,whichhadbeenloudlyflyingbackandforthoverthecanyon,andthedevicecrashedintothecanyon.Twoparkvisitorswhohadlaunchedthe
unmannedaircraftclimbedintothecanyonofftrailand,aftermorethanonehourofsearching,retrievedthedevice.
[4]
InlateApril2014,NPSvolunteerswitnessedanunmannedaircraftdisturbingaherdofbighornsheepontheeasternsideofthepark.Thepresenceoftheunmannedaircraftcausedtheherdtoscatter
andseparatedseveralyoungsheepfromtheadults.
[5]
OnSeptember8,2013,visitorswitnessedaquadcopterflyingaroundthedevelopedareaofthepark,aboveanamphitheaterthatcontainedover1,000visitors,andthenuptoandovertheiconic
sculpture.
[6]
Section6.4.3.3ofNPSManagementPolicies2006prohibitsvisitoruseofmotorizedequipmentineligible,study,proposed,recommended,anddesignatedwilderness.

http://www.nps.gov/policy/PolMemos/PM_1405.htm

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