DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) - City leaders in Deadwood have approved a drone “no-fly zone” over the Old West gambling town’s National Historic Landmark District.
The ordinance unanimously approved on Monday by the Deadwood City Commission effectively outlaws unmanned aerial devices over the entire downtown area in the western South Dakota city, the Rapid City Journal (https://bit.ly/2uIzkf8 ) reported.
Rushmore Drones business owner Trevor Plett doubts the new rule will fly with the Federal Aviation Administration because the agency has sole responsibility for regulating U.S. airspace. Plett also said such ordinances add another layer of burdensome regulations to an emerging industry and create “an unwelcoming environment.”
“A lot of the provisions in their ordinance try to outlaw what is effectively already outlawed by the FAA: flying over crowds, putting weapons on drones, not being allowed to fly above 400 feet. You already can’t do that,” Plett said. “Their main target is the hobbyist, and I am looking at this as a commercial operator who owns a business.”
The ordinance bars flying a drone over any person not involved with the drone’s operation, over vehicular traffic and over property not owned by the drone user unless the property owner consents. It also prohibits the use of a drone over any school, school yard, hospital, water treatment facility, law enforcement building or place of worship without consent.
Deadwood Mayor Chuck Turbiville said city officials are confident they made the right decision. Violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and hundreds of dollars in fines.
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Information from: Rapid City Journal, https://www.rapidcityjournal.com
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