The Savannah River Site in South Carolina has begun a process to restrict its airspace in response to the recent sightings of drones flying overhead. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, site officials won’t discuss further details, such as the individual steps in the process to restrict the airspace.
In a note sent to employees last month, SRS officials reported that “small, unmanned aerial systems (UAS)” were spotted flying over various areas of SRS. Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said restricting airspace can take anywhere from 20 months to several years, “depending on environmental and aeronautical analysis that is required.” FAA regulations do not prohibit drones or other aircraft from flying over nuclear plants, but pilots are “strongly advised” to avoid them.
SRS officials still don’t know who is behind the drones that have been spotted above the 310-square-mile Department of Energy facility near Aiken, S.C. There have been eight confirmed sightings of drones flying over the site, on June 19, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30 and July 5. Tom Clements, the director of the nongovernmental SRS Watch, said he was questioned by the FBI since his organization has captured multiple aerial shots of SRS. But Clements said he is not behind the recent drone flights. “I asked (the FBI agents) who had sent them my way and they said SRS security personnel,” Clements said. “As we engage in legal, peaceful activities, we will continue our work undeterred.”
Drones have been seen above the K Area Complex, where excess plutonium is stored; the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF), which is being constructed to convert 34 metric tons of weapon-usable plutonium into commercial nuclear fuel; H Area, where nuclear materials are processed; and E Area, where low-level waste and transuranic waste is stored.
