Even though there have been no reported incidents involving the use of unmanned aircraft at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, the park is letting the public know that the practice is prohibited.
In a news release, the battlefield says the prohibition "is consistent with a policy memorandum" signed on June 19th by National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. It directs superintendents nationwide to prohibit launching, landing and operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters administered by the Park Service.
According to the release, the NPS took the action in response to a number of incidents involving the devices that resulted in noise and nuisance complaints from park visitors, concerns for park visitor safety and reported incidents in which park wildlife was harassed. One was at Zion National Park--volunteers there witnessed an unmanned aircraft disturb a herd of bighorn sheep. Last September, an unmanned aircraft flew above some evening visitors seated in the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Amphitheater.
