OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) has approved use of a drone on Wednesday, June 9, to perform 3-D mapping of Capitol Campus buildings and to help assess ongoing construction work and building facility conditions.

Images of structural and aesthetic features of the Legislative, Newhouse, O’Brien, Insurance, Cherberg and Temple of Justice building façades will support virtual civic education materials. The images will also assist in future maintenance and planning.

The work is weather dependent and is scheduled to be performed on the 9th with multiple flights throughout the day between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 10 is reserved as a back-up day if necessary. Impacts to campus visitors and tenants are expected to be minimal.

Washington Administrative Code 200-250 mostly prohibits launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft systems/drones on the Capitol Campus. However, the rules do allow use of drones for activities directly related to the care of the campus with written approval of the Department of Enterprise Services Director. A contractor, More Good Communications, will operate the drone. Safety precautions will be taken throughout the operation. The contractor has met all Federal Aviation Administration requirements.