[altasnob]

[jinx'sboy]

[car68]

That helicopter has a turbine engine. It burns Jet-A which does not have lead. It's lighter than water so it would be on the surface and dissipate.

[Tom]

[Kim Brown]

No tin foil, no fear. This is typical. Edit: Acutally it's not typical - usually there's no information given, just a form to fill out and click SEND. An organization often has forms like this for people that align with their mission to fill out and send. There's typically nothing wrong with that. That's why there are memberships to these organizations. Any other opinion can be sent another way, but it's up to you to find out how, and to read up on more information. THey're not stopping anyone from doing that. Organizations usually say something like STOP BAD GUYS FROM EMPTYING ALL THEIR CHOPPER FLUIDS IN OUR LAKES ! STOP ALL THE BAD STUFF ENTERING OUR WILDERNESS LAKES!! Fill out this FORM and SEND IT!!!!! At least WaWild is giving some history behind it. They are a reasonable organization and have signed off on a lot of things, like forest road repair and increased funding for trails and roads.

[Tom]

Eh, they can't even get the facts straight in the opening salvo referring to it as wilderness. Plenty of half truths, but I get it, they don't want helicopters, and the time is ripe to whip up the frenzy.

[Anne Elk]

Thanks for that post, logbear. WAWild presented a good summary, and ID'd the best gov't official to contact about the issue.

[Tom]

Yes, let's refer to them as tourons. Never liked that term personally. Smacks of arrogance.

[Kim Brown]

Sometimes numbers do matter, mindless or not; several years ago, organizations sent a campaign like this to thier members to tell the USFS to reduce some logging impacts around the trailheads near Snoqualmie Pass (I think it was the Hansen project; can't recall). There was no new mind-blowing information given to the USFS by any commenters to change their minds on the project; the numbers of comments did. It's also how the repairs to the Suiattle Road got so much support - (and how in the early 90's we almost lost it). Whether or not they appreciate it - I don't know. If it's something they agree with, they probably do. But this isn't a public comment action, it's a campaign to bring it to the table. It's the same way we get wilderness, for instance. Sorta like a petition to get a bill on the ballot. The public signs stuff like that all the time. This is the same thing, only different.

[Tom]

I'm wondering why the form email recipient would be the DNR? Wouldn't it be the FS making the decisions on managing their land?

[Kim Brown]

It says they already have sent a campaign to the USFS; the text of the comment is to urge DNR to cooperate and support any efforts by USFS. Stuff like this also keeps the organization on the minds of its members and potential members. Whether or not it goes anywhere, or is expected to, is anyone's guess, I guess.

[Tom]

Here is my comment to Mr. McFarland:

[Kim Brown]

Tom your comment reads like MacFarland is all for the WaWild proposal, and you're asking him to enlighten you as to scenarios he thinks helicopter use is damaging. Is DNR saying that? Perhaps they are, and I missed it. So many posts to sift through.

[Tom]

No, but they will be getting form letters to the effect that helicopter landings are a threat to the water supply and I'm curious if they believe it's truly a risk. I might change my opinion if there is a viable scenario, maybe I'm missing something.

[Logbear]

I agree with WaWild's headline that says "Fly-in tourism regulations must be reassessed" Are there any Fly-in regulations to be reassessed? Aside from the prohibition of landing on DNR land, and allowing "commercial" landings with a permit, what else is there? Nothing that I can find. How about they "really" reassess the fly-in issue. Designate areas/locations that are OK for helicopter camping. Create proper landing spots. In non-wilderness areas of course. Allow reservations like they do for the group campsites up the Mt Loop. The USFS gets $125/night for Boardman, $90 for Esswine, $115 for Wiley Creek. The USFS should make some kind of agreement with DNR to let helicopters land on the nice safe sandbar at Copper Lake. Create a proper campsite/picnic area with proper outhouses. Or they could just turn over all the watershed land over to Snohomish PUD, and let them deal with it just like Seattle does with their watersheds.