Reestablishment of Whooping Crane Migration Route Grounded due to FAA Regulations

Dear President Obama,

I am writing concerning the recent grounding due to the violations of FAA regulations.  I shall quote the press release to avoid misrepresenting the issue; “FAA regulations say only pilots with commercial pilot licenses can fly for hire. The pilots of Operation Migration's plane are instead licensed to fly sport aircraft because that's the category of aircraft that the group's small, open plane with its rear propeller and bird-like wings falls under. FAA regulations also prohibit sport aircraft—which are sometimes of exotic design—from being flown to benefit a business or charity” (JOAN LOWY Associated Press).

Operation Migration has been working for the last 10 years to reestablish the migration route of the critically endangered whooping crane population among other highly endangered migrating bird species.  One whooping crane flyway, or migration route, has been successfully reestablished but the flock’s population numbers only around 100 individuals.  This means that any major loss to the flock could result in the collapse of the flock.  Basically, the flock is at a very delicate stage of development.

The pilot and 10 young whooping cranes that were grounded by the FAA in Alabama are part of an effort to establish a second flyway route originating in Wisconsin and ending at the West coast of Florida.  The establishment of multiple flyways is crucial to the survival and flourishing of the species.  Traditionally multiple flyways existed; they allowed for the sustained diversity of the whooping crane population, a buffer against natural disasters to one part of the population (such as loss of habitat due to human encroachment and lack of public awareness), and a balanced ecosystem where the whooping cranes acted as a keystone in the ‘food chain’.

As we move forward into a period of rapid climate change the survival of many species will depend much more heavily on human involvement.  Our country’s greatest national treasure is our nature and the species that populate it.  This is an opportunity to help one species and in turn the communities and environments that the whooping crane interacts with.

I ask that you please help Operation Migration become airborne again and resolve the FAA regulation so future problems due not arise.  I thank you for your time and sincerely hope that you take the steps to protect our national heritage.

Sincerely,

Dominique