TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - The U.S. Army has shelved a proposal to train helicopter pilots on U.S. Forest Service lands in an area over the North Cascades in the wake of strong criticism from outdoors advocates.
The News Tribune reports (https://bit.ly/1RJ6ajK ) that Joint Base Lewis-McChord announced Thursday that it will look for new high-altitude sites in Washington state where its aviation crews can train without disrupting campers and hikers.
The Army received 2,350 written comments about the plan, including a coordinated campaign from small-business owners in Leavenworth who worried the military helicopters would drive tourists away.
Currently, in order to train at high altitudes like the North Cascades, pilots must fly to Colorado.
___
Information from: The News Tribune, https://www.thenewstribune.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.