The Federal Aviation Administration has released revised aeronautical charts that include information on overflight regulations for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary off the Washington state coast.
The charts depict existing overflight zones that have been in place for many years, according to Robert Steelquist, spokesman for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, in a statement.
Flights below 2,000 feet over the sanctuary are restricted within 1 nautical mile of islands within Flattery Rocks, Quillayute Needles and Copalis National Wildlife refuges, or within 1 nautical mile seaward of the sanctuary’s coastal boundary.
Takeoffs and landings from the Copalis Beach State Airport are not affected.
Protection of wildlife
“The purpose of this regulation is to protect sensitive seabird and marine mammal populations from unintended disturbance from low-flying aircraft,” said Carol Bernthal, sanctuary superintendent.
“Providing better information to pilots will result in improved compliance and better protection for wildlife living in this special place.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, which oversees the sanctuary, has worked with the FAA to ensure clear notation of sanctuary regulations on aeronautical charts, which provides appropriate notice to pilots and ensures the protection of resources under NOAA’s stewardship, Steelquist said.
Along the West Coast, regulations for Monterey Bay, Channel Islands, Gulf of the Farallones and Olympic Coast National Marine sanctuaries all restrict low-altitude overflights within specified zones in each sanctuary — subject to certain exceptions — to protect marine mammals and seabirds from disturbance by aircraft.
NOAA is working with the state Department of Transportation’s aviation division to educate pilots on existing regulations.
More information on the FAA charts and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary overflight regulations may be found at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/flight.