Concerns Raised About Floating Heliports Located In Destin Harbor

The Destin, FL City Council has unanimously approved a motion that could lead to an ordinance preventing helicopters from operating on floating platforms in Destin harbor.

The move comes after Timberveiw Helicopters, a helicopter tour company operating in Destin, was prevented from conducting commercial operations by the FAA after a surprise inspection. The company was cited for numerous safety violations.

The company operated sightseeing tours from a floating barge in the harbor, as well as near East pass and along Crab Island, according to a report appearing online from The Destin Log. Councilman Tuffy Dixon said he is worried other helicopter operators will "gravitate toward our harbor if we don't close the door."

The council has been reviewing a decades-old court case that gives local governments jurisdiction over regulating landing areas on the water. City Land Use Attorney Scott Shirley said that the case is relevant to the issue. But questions remain about whether the city, Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, or the FAA actually has the authority to regulate such floating helipads.

The issue is also being discussed by the Okaloosa County (FL) Commission. Part of an ordinance proposed by that body reads "no private airport will be allowed in any other zoning district within the unincorporated area, including water bodies where no specific zoning district has been established."

FMI: www.cityofdestin.com, www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/dept_citizen_councils.html