WTF!?! - Why Does Exxon Control the No-Fly Zone Over Arkansas Tar Sands Spill?

[kpete]

Exxon's Unfriendly Skies: Why Does Exxon Control the No-Fly Zone Over Arkansas Tar Sands Spill?



http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8699.html



The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has had a "no fly zone" in place in Mayflower, Arkansas since April 1 at 2:12 PM and will be in place "until further notice," according to the FAA website and it's being overseen by ExxonMobil itself. In other words, any media or independent observers who want to witness the tar sands spill disaster have to ask Exxon's permission.

Mayflower is the site of the recent major March 29 ExxonMobil Pegagus tar sands pipeline spill, which belched out an estimated 5,000 barrels of tar sands diluted bitumen ("dilbit&quot into the small town's neighborhoods, causing the evacuation of 22 homes.

The rules of engagement for the no fly zone dictate that no aircraft can fly within 1,000 feet of the ground in the five-mile radius surrounding the ExxonMobil Pegasus tar sands pipeline spill. The area located within this radius includes the nearby Pine Village Airport.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette revealed that the FAA site noted earlier today that "only relief aircraft operations under direction of Tom Suhrhoff" were allowed within the designated no fly zone.


MORE:
http://www.desmogblog.com/2013/04/03/exxon-s-skies-why-does-exxon-control-no-fly-zone-over-arkansas-tar-sands-spill

[niyad]

1. didn't bp do the same after the deepwater horizon disaster?

[Betsy Ross]

2. Same thing happened with the Gulf spill. nt

[FirstLight]

14. Yep...

because the OIL Companies control it ALL...

When the oil corporations make more than a Nation, what else can be expected.

[snooper2]

3. does anybody read for themselves?

The fly zone restriction is from 0-1000 feet AGL

[Fumesucker]

6. But why is access to the no-fly zone controlled by a corporation?

That is the question.

[arcane1]

12. I hate to sound like I'm defending them, but it's their planes, people, and equipment

They are "overseeing" it (whatever that means) because (hopefully!) the priority is to clean this damned mess up!

Like I said, I am NOT defending them, but I don't consider this to be all that suspicious, if what they are saying is true. It does, however, warrant close scrutiny. As mentioned in another post, they could use this as an excuse to chase off the press, and we are right to suspect it, but it remains to be seen if that is what's happening.

[yourout]

7. Yep....pretty much the same as any small town or populated area.

Remember that from my student pilot days.

Also remember having to check for TFRs before every flight.

Never finished up and got my Private Pilot. It just got to expensive.

[Gravitycollapse]

4. 1000 foot cut off is not a no-fly zone.

It likely represents an attempt to free up low flying aircraft used in the clean up.

[Autumn]

5. To prevent any close up video or pics of the spill?

That would be my guess.

[snooper2]

13. LOL, my wife's IPhone 4S can take a pretty good pic

from helicopter 2000 foot up

[Cleita]

8. It seems they do just like the rest of their consortium does (international oil).

I have no idea how we are going to stop them without an army because our military seems to work for them.

[arcane1]

9. In a way I can understand this, though I don't have to like it.

I'm sure they need the airport to efficiently fly people and supplies in, and want to avoid it and the immediate area becoming too crowded, and 1,000 feet isn't that much. Planes could still fly over, and take pictures and video, without interfering with the urgent clean-up efforts.

I just don't want this to be used as an excuse for a media blackout

[Kablooie]

10. Why shouldn't they? Exxon owns this country.

Granted they have to share it with other corporations but they are legitimate owners of the US government so they can do anything they want as long as the other owners don't complain.

You and other voters don't own this country so you have no right to say anything against it.

[DonCoquixote]

11. you think they want people to get a reminder

of why keystone is a bad idea?

[Webster Green]

15. Heh! BP was giving the orders to the fucking US Coast Guard after the gulf disaster.

The Coast Guard (as well as law enforcement) was used by BP to keep the media away. I remember it well.

That's one of the big reasons I don't care that much for the president. His handling of the gulf disaster was horrible.

Petroleum corporations are pretty much in charge of everything, including our government.