Model Runway Closed Due To Concerns Over Protected Species

The city of Boulder, Colorado has reached an agreement that will reopen the airspace over Boulder Reservoir to model aircraft once more. The city Parks and Recreation Department had shut down the runway used by the Boulder Aeromodeling Society due to wildlife concerns but an agreement reached a week ago Friday will allow the group to resume model flying activity.

Seasonal closures that took effect on April 1 were meant to protect several species of birds but had the unintended effect of closing the runway located northwest of the reservoir, according to a report in the Boulder Daily Camera. A compromise between the city and the flying club was reached which allows the members to fly model aircraft between 1000 and 1930 local time. The time restriction is intended to eliminate flying during the time the birds are most active.
 
A further part of the city’s agreement includes training some club members to monitor wildlife and posting educational signs about the local birds at the site. Any nesting discovered from osprey, northern harrier, burrowing owls and bittern could result in the site being closed again.
 
Kirk Kincannon, director of parks and recreation said “They were very cooperative and willing to work with us, and I think it’s a great agreement. It puts a little bit of a time constraint on them, but it still gives them most of the day.” (Model airplane image from file)

FMI: www.bouldercolorado.gov/parks-recreation, www.boulderaero.org