Drone Surveillance Program
Under the guidance of Upper Potomac Riverkeeper Brent Walls, Potomac Riverkeeper Network has developed a program that uses drone technology to advance our ability to detect and gather information on water pollution sources that are impacting water quality in the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Establishing a formal drone program is an important step that expresses the professionalism of our organization’s ability to collect and use imagery for the purpose of advocacy and potential litigation.
Since 2019, the use of drones has greatly increased our efficiency at locating and identifying pollution impacting rivers and streams in the Potomac and Shenandoah watersheds. Each Riverkeeper is armed with a drone that is used to capture images or video that can be used as evidence in our advocacy actions. With a licensed Part 107 operator, the images we collect have been used in documentaries, news media, and litigation. Our team of drones have helped us successfully advocate against several pollution issues.
A few of our successful actions using drones include:
Verso Black Liquor Pollution and North Branch Potomac
SGI Stormwater Pollution and Miney Branch
D&L Stormwater Pollution and North Branch Potomac
Volunteer Drone Pilots Welcome
PRKN welcomes the inclusion of volunteers with a drone to fly missions for the purpose of PRKN activity; which includes imagery for social media, flight operations during an advocacy event or identifying pollution issues. PRKN requires that the volunteer drone pilot attend an annual Drone Pilot Training course if the volunteer intends to fly missions for PRKN, even if the drone pilot has a FAA Drone Pilots License. PRKN also requests that any mission that is flown under the direction of PRKN by a volunteer drone pilot must follow all standard operating procedures put forth by Potomac Riverkeeper Network.
