Jon Irlbeck <<jonirlbeck>> writes:

I am a H3 pilot who lives in eastern Pennsylvania.

My local club, The Water Gap Hang Gliding Club, has been working to open the
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to hang gliding / free flight. The
National Park Service is accepting comments now, but the comment period closes
in 8 days, after which they will make a decision. If you have a few minutes,
please comment through the included link in support of hang gliding / free
flight.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=55912&documentID=64690

Many pilots who live in the Northeast are familiar with the Delaware Water Gap
National Recreation Area. For those who are not, or live in other parts of the
country, this park is located along the PA-NJ border about an hour and a half
drive from NYC, or two hours from Philadelphia. Although this very large area
has much potential for free flight, this area currently is off-limits.

About 2 months ago, the National Park Service announced that this area may be
re-designated a National Park, and are considering changes to the permitted use
of this land. The NPS held a “Pubic Listening Session” on April 7th. The Water
Gap Hang Gliding Club attending this meeting and spoke in support of identifying
free flight as a designated activity within the park. Our viewpoint was
generally well received by the National Park Staff, but it was made very clear
that there will be no Due Process. What this means: public suggestions for
change within the park will be accepted, considerations weighed, and final
decisions rendered, all in a condensed time frame.

The public comment period is now open but closes in only 8 days, on April 30.
The link to submit comments:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=55912&documentID=64690
If you would like to support a new area to fly, and assist ongoing efforts of
opening up park lands for free flight, please submit your comments to the
National Park Service by April 30th. Do you know anyone that might be
considering Free Flight in the future, or anyone that enjoys watching you fly?
Please have them submit comments as well.

Comment suggestions: Free Flight (hang gliding and paragliding) is a low impact,
non-motorized use of park lands The cost of allowing free flight is
insignificant, will not impact limited park funds. Free Flight Pilots are
appropriately rated and insured by our national organization. Free flight pilots
are like-minded with the national park staff. Our national organization
coordinates with the Foundation For Free Flight working towards land
preservation. (We know our activities can only continue with open space for
launch, flight, and landings.) Free Flight is an efficient use the land: Only
requires one small area to launch, and one area to land. The remainder of our
activity takes places in the air. (A good comparison would be one designated
launch, and one designated boat landing) Allow us the opportunity to be good
stewards of the land within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Involve us in activities like trash cleanup, and maintenance. Allow us to be a
proactive, positive influence in the areas we are allowed to fly. Free flight
pilots will be a positive influence on other park visitors. We would like the
opportunity to share our enthusiasm for the natural, undeveloped world, and
relate the beauty of the park from an additional, alternative perspective to
others. (example: people stop and ask questions, ask if they can watch).