Interior Sued for Ban on BASE Jumping, Extreme Skydiving Sport

BASE jumping, an extreme sport that involves freefalling and parachuting off cliffs, has been unconstitutionally banned by the National Parks Service, a new suit alleges.

BASE jumpers challenged the near-total embargo on permits for the activity, arguing in a complaint filed Monday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas that it essentially criminalizes the sport, in violatiotion of the constitutional due process and vesting clauses.

The Interior Secretary has “unfettered discretion” under the National Park Organic Act to define criminal conduct on public land and prohibit a “legitimate, internationally recognized sport.” The jumpers argue Congress didn’t ...