Although the offender confirms the claim that an unauthorized helicopter landing occurred in Grand Teton National Park, he denies that it was for a lakeside picnic and wishes to clarify reports from the park rangers.
Illegal Helicopter Landing in Grand Teton National Park
The proprietor of a helicopter tour company based in Colorado intends to contest the National Park Service's allegations that he flew into Grand Teton National Park without permission.
The Grand Teton National Park unofficial helicopter landing on June 24 near Moran Bay on the western shore of Jackson Lake resulted in two infractions, according to the Park Service's announcement on Monday.
According to the statement, rangers arrived by boat after receiving a helicopter alarm and discovered Smith and a buddy enjoying a picnic by the lake.
On 6/24 Grand Teton rangers received a report that a helicopter had illegally landed at Moran Bay on the west shore of Jackson Lake. Rangers responded & found the helicopter and pilot Peter Smith, of Gunnison, CO, and a companion picnicking along the lake. https://t.co/Rl5kOAljTF pic.twitter.com/USo8WXRVSi
— Grand Teton National Park (@GrandTetonNPS) July 10, 2023
The owner of West Elk Air, Peter Smith, said that although he did land in the park, it was due to a sick passenger on board and not realizing that the spot where he landed was inside the park.
Smith indicated that the Tetons couldn't be crossed due to the severe weather there.
Before landing, Smith claimed to have examined his maps, but the limits were not evident, and they were unaware that they were in a park.
From above, he claimed, he noticed 10 motorboats circling each other with water skiers but didn't think it was a national park.
Only Jackson and Jenny Lakes in Grand Teton National Park permit motorized boats.
Smith Denies Picnic
Smith refused to detail his activities nearby. He did mention that he found it annoying that news stories claimed he and his passenger were enjoying a picnic.
Smith asserted that despite the articles that are appearing claiming they had a picnic, they were not in the vicinity for one.
He said that nothing was being enjoyed and that they had been there for ten minutes when the US Forest Service arrived. He further said that they received their ticket from the authorities, and the group then left.
Each offense is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 in fines or up to six months in prison.
In August, Smith is set to appear before a federal judge in Jackson.
The Park Service also noted that Smith had previously received a citation for violating FAA rules for flying a fixed-wing aircraft below the minimal safe altitude in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park just four months earlier in February.
A federal judge ruled a $530 fine paid by Smith, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Wildlife Disturbance
The Federal Aviation Administration states that all helicopter landings in national parks, monuments, preserves, and wildlife refuges must have prior authorization from the superintendent.
In order to minimize disturbing wildlife, the National Park Service requests that pilots keep a minimum distance of 2,000 feet from the closest groundmass.
A 2018 study that was published in the journal ResearchGate backed up the concept as well.
According to the article, loud human activities like helicopter traffic may have an impact on the physiology and behavior of wild animals.
Studying how various taxa and species react to human-induced disturbance in various ecosystems is crucial because persistent behavioral changes can ultimately affect reproductive success and population dynamics.
Related Article: More Yellowstone Wildlife Being Harassed by Visitors, Officials Hunt Offenders as Park Posts Rules Again
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