Prohibits Drone Flights Over Standing Rock Oil Pipeline Protests

The FAA has place a TFR over the area where protesters are attempting to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline pipeline in North Dakota.

The TFR prevents all flights over the protest area except aircraft operating in support of law enforcement. That includes UAVs which might capture video and images of the sites. Journalists can apply for advance permission to fly drones over the sites, but it is obviously difficult to predict when a clash between authorities and protesters might take place, and no waivers for journalists have been granted so far, according to an FAA spokesperson.

The Dakota Access Pipeline is being built about a half mile from the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, and would pass under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe, which is the main source of drinking water for the tribe.

Recode.net reports that video captured by a drone showing protesters being sprayed with water cannons in cold weather appeared on the Internet before the ban was put in place. The TFR is in effect until Friday.

FMI: TFR