Good argument, YELLOWMAULE. It's an all too common position of the right wing conservatives to categorically oppose pro-environmental action, but without some measure of conservation of our lands, what will our kids enjoy? Most of us have a skewed perception because the only time we take notice is when a headline catches our eye that has to do with something that interests us, like aviation. So, I implore everyone to look at each environmental conservation action individually, because some are valid and sensible, while others are not.
I will agree that Hempton represents a somewhat obscure interest, but I also think that most people, enthusiasts of gasoline-burning playtoys or not, are not that gullible, and would feel that his acoustic ecology argument is a little extreme. But, less extreme laws have been drafted and ushered in with less fanfare.
I think it's good that this issue is being aired out, because it will attract an otherwise clueless contingent of opponents -- us, the pilots, snowmobilers, dirt bikers, etc. An interest group like like AOPA or the Alaska Airman's Association need to be standing by to fight laws like this when they go too far, and attempt to turn National Parks into no-fly zones. It's bullshit. The National Park Service's purpose is to preserve and manage the parks, so we can't expect them to take a very unbiased, higher level view of the matter can we?
Outdoor recreation is more popular than ever. More americans are venturing further out into public lands than ever before to fish, climb, ski, glide, ride, camp, whatever. There is going to be a use and management issue, there is no avoiding it, even it the apparent endless unpopulated region of AK. We do want these lands and parks to be as untread as possible for our kids, but not at the cost of not being able to use them at all.
Fossil fuel is not forever, and our population continues to grow. Responsible management is necessary to preserve all that beauty. I just don't see a noise pollution prevention campaign making it that far. This has been my environmental statement for the day. Sorry it's so long.
Maulewaco, it's probably best for everyone if you attack the enemy's relevant actions and intentions rather that what you believe his sexual orientation to be. It really makes you sound daft, and I don't want my fellow pilots to appear daft.