Designation: Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility

United Dairymen of Arizona supports the proposed rule to restrict unmanned aircraft operations near fixed-site facilities. They argue that unauthorized drone activity poses risks to animal welfare, employee safety, and biosecurity for dairy farms, which are part of the nation's critical infrastructure.

Great River Hydro, LLC supports the FAA's proposed rule to allow critical infrastructure owners to request restrictions on drone operations near their facilities. The company argues that unauthorized drone activity poses significant security risks to hydroelectric dams and creates potential safety hazards for personnel and equipment.

The Meat Institute, a trade association representing meat packers and processors, supports the FAA's proposed rule to allow fixed-site facilities to request unmanned aircraft flight restrictions. They argue that the rule is necessary to protect critical food production infrastructure from security threats, animal stress, and operational disruptions while still allowing for legitimate drone use.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) supports the proposed rule to restrict unmanned aircraft near fixed site facilities. They argue that the rule is necessary to protect the food supply, ensure the safety of workers and livestock, and prevent potential security threats to critical infrastructure.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) strongly supports the FAA's proposal to allow fixed-site facilities to petition for unmanned aircraft flight restrictions. They argue that the rule is necessary to protect critical infrastructure, ensure farm biosecurity against diseases like African Swine Fever, and safeguard workers from the threats posed by unauthorized drone activity and activist surveillance.

Austin Flores, Chief Operating Officer of Grimmius Cattle Company, Inc., strongly supports the rulemaking to designate agricultural livestock facilities as restricted airspace. He argues that unauthorized drone activity poses significant risks to animal welfare, employee safety, and food security, and urges the FAA to treat these facilities as critical infrastructure.

Shawn Bruderly, a railroad worker with over 20 years of experience, supports the proposed restriction on drones near rail facilities. He argues that drones create a distraction and a safety concern for workers who must already maintain high levels of situational awareness in a complex environment.

An individual commenter supports the proposed restriction on drone operations near fixed site facilities. They argue that Union Pacific Railroad is using drones for disciplinary purposes rather than engineering, creating safety hazards and distractions for train crews.

An individual railroad worker expresses support for restricting drone operations near fixed site facilities. They argue that drones create safety distractions and security concerns for employees, suggesting they should be limited to specific inspection tasks like bridge maintenance.

A railroad employee who has worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 15 years supports the restriction of drones near rail facilities. They argue that drone testing creates dangerous distractions for conductors working around hazardous equipment.