nicknitro71 0 #1 December 23, 2002 Just a thought.Memento Audere Semper 903 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #2 December 23, 2002 As a general rule, BASE jumping is legal in the U.S. It's specifically prohibited in a few places (for example, in National Parks) and from a few specific objects (for example there is a specific ordinance prohibiting parachuting from a well known span in Northern California), but that's it. So, as long as you don't commit a real crime (trespass or reckless endangerment, for example), there is no reason not to parachute from whatever you like (and/or whatever you can gain the permission of the owner to jump from). That said, would I be willing to pursue a legal battle in a specific arena (like the National Park System) to the Supreme Court? Sure, given sufficient financial resources to do so. The truth is, I doubt we'd win that case on it's merits. Precedent is pretty clear that the NPS may disallow particular activities on their land (see snowmobiling in Yellowstone, for example). We might have an argument that the clear public interest (preserving the parks) is not incompatible with our use (parachuting), but I think it's probably a long shot. However, the real battle is probably not to be had in court, but in the electorate. All it will take is one sympathetic President (or presidential appointee at the head of the NPS), and the policy will change. I bet we could even do it with one sympathetic Senator (see Slade Gorton and the the NPS about-face on the climbing fixed anchor ban). Will it happen in my lifetime? I kind of doubt it. But we can always dream...-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
