New River Gorge (NERI) NPS General Management Plan - Need Your Comments AGAIN!
It's been two years since many of you submitted comments online regarding the New River Gorge NPS General Management Plan (GMP). The GMP has changed quite a bit, but it still doesn't include anything regarding BASE jumping. It is VERY CRITICAL that BASE Jumping be acknowledged in the final GMP and you have until April 2, 2010 to submit your comments online. The NPS's acknowledgment of BASE jumping in the GMP could negate the need for a director's waiver and it could easily be the only item to stop legal jumping outside of Bridge Day. As many of you know, I have been working on legal catwalk jumping for the last six years and have made some good progress in the last few months. Your comments are very much needed and appreciated. It'll only take you a few minutes of typing and a few clicks of your mouse.
Comment on the Plan Online
New River Gorge General Management Plan
Here are the comments I just submitted:
3) I feel it is critical that the following be addressed in this version of the NERI General Management Plan (GMP):
BASE Jumping - NERI should state that BASE jumping is an appropriate activity (at certain times) within the park in their GMP. Special Use Permits have been issued to BASE jumpers at Bridge Day for decades, clearly indicating that parachuting is not considered "inappropriate". An estimated 22,000+ legal BASE jumps have occurred on NERI property since the mid-1980's. Acknowledgment of BASE jumping as an appropriate activity would also simplify the permit process by negating the need for a director's waiver. From the 2006 NPS Management Policies:
8.2.2.7 Parachuting
Parachuting (or BASE jumping), whether from an aircraft, structure, or natural feature, is generally prohibited by 36 CFR 2.17(a)(3). However, if determined through a park planning process to be an appropriate activity, it may be allowed pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit.
It is requested that NERI include a provision for permitting certain types of parachute jumps that may occur outside of Bridge Day (legal catwalk BASE jumping, commercials, test jumps, special stunts) without having to consult Washington for a Director's Waiver. Including BASE jumping in the GMP would solve this problem by permitting the NERI Superintendent to approve appropriate parachute jumps.
NERI should also include "Bridge Day BASE Jumping" as part of any NPS stories that are told to park visitors.
BASE jumpers want to work with NERI and the entire NPS to lawfully and safely permit parachuting within the park system on Bridge Day and at other times during the year.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on your GMP. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions, comments, or need assistance with implementation of the above ideas. As a BASE jumper and a park visitor, I have a vested interest in helping to improve the New River Gorge National River.
Since many of us submitted comments two years ago and were ignored, please forward this thread to anyone who feels that it's time jumpers get more than six hours of legal jumping in the USA each year. Many thanks.
PS. Here's the thread from two years ago: http://www.basejumper.com/...post=2885274#2885274
