Illegal Helicopter Landing Spurs Bill for Harsher Penalties

Photo credit: John Morris

After a helicopter landed in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, a new bill would increase the maximum fine for an aerial landing in the wilderness from $500 to $20,000.

The move comes after angry citizens learned of a couple that landed their private helicopter to fish in the Bob Marshall in May. They received a federal misdemeanor charge for the offense, which carried a maximum fine of $500.

Montana citizens and public lands advocates cried out that the fine is a mere slap on the wrist for anyone who can afford to fly a private helicopter in the first place. Now, things look like they might change for future offenders.

LINK (via: Gear Junkie)

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