Helicopter Landings Back On

 Federal judge overrules environmental objections to helicopter assisted management of wolves. I’m David Sparks and we’ll have that story in a minute. Despite the fact that six environmental groups joined in a lawsuit that sought to ban the landing of U.S. Forest Service helicopters, a federal judge has cleared the way for state biologists to be dropped by helicopter into the vast Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness up to 20 times this winter to dart and collar wolves roaming the remote backcountry.

 We reported on this several weeks ago and made the assumption that Fish and Game officials knew what they were doing as it relates to the most effective way to manage wolves. But John McCarthy with Wilderness Society in Boise along with other groups objected: “We think that should require a full environmental study and the opportunity for people to review all of the implications. Number Two: We think there’s other ways to gather the same information. This is working from the ground, from backpacks and from horse supported efforts.

   The ruling by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill means that helicopter landings could begin almost immediately in the 2.3-million acre wilderness preserve. Officials say landings will be unobtrusive, low impact and take just minutes.