Snoqualmie Falls is 28 miles southeast of Seattle. [File Photo: Adobestock]
Key Takeaways:
Snoqualmie Falls, a sacred site for the Snoqualmie Tribe and a Traditional Cultural Property, is experiencing increased low-flying aircraft tours that disrupt tribal ceremonies, cause safety concerns, and are considered intrusive.
The Snoqualmie Tribe is advocating for the FAA to implement flight restrictions, such as altitude limits, no-fly periods, or limitations on tour frequency, duration, and routes, to preserve the falls' sacredness and ensure visitor safety.
While the FAA is "working with all parties" and one helicopter operator has halted flights, the tribe has faced challenges communicating with pilots, who often use the area as a popular flight corridor, and seeks appropriate, rather than prohibitive, restrictions.
Are the Snoqualmie Falls scenic or sacred? That depends on who you ask.
The falls, located approximately 28 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, are considered to be one of the most gorgeous natural wonders in the Evergreen State. They stand 268 feet tall and are very popular for aerial tours.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
