Drones banned at Yosemite

The National Park Service is warning visitors to Yosemite National Park that drones "are prohibited within park boundaries."

The service announced the decision Friday and cited a federal law that says "delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means, except in emergencies involving public safety or serious property loss, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit" is illegal.

The latest move against drones comes months after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded a nonprofit Texas volunteer search-and-rescue outfit that employs five-pound styrofoam drones.

That legal tussle, now in federal court, between Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team and aviation authorities, comes two months after a judge nullified FAA regulations barring the commercial use of small, unmanned drones. Still, the FAA continues to maintain its position, despite the ruling.

At Yosemite, meanwhile, the government announced Friday that the California-based national park has seen an uptick in visitors using drones within park boundaries:

Drones have been witnessed filming climbers ascending climbing routes, filming views above tree-tops, and filming aerial footage of the park. Drones can be extremely noisy, and can impact the natural soundscape. Drones can also impact the wilderness experience for other visitors creating an environment that is not conducive to wilderness travel. The use of drones also interferes with emergency rescue operations and can cause confusion and distraction for rescue personnel and other parties involved in the rescue operation. Additionally, drones can have negative impacts on wildlife nearby the area of use, especially sensitive nesting peregrine falcons on cliff walls.

Park rangers will begin warning drone users this weekend that the activity is illegal.