The debate over Kern River's use of helicopters has taken about as many turns as a chopper's rotor.
Earlier this year, pipeline critics were somewhat soothed by Kern River's gesture that it would use helicopters - rather than build new access roads - to haul pipe to the project in the mountains east of Bountiful.In June, however, Kern River said it would need a new access road - straight up a Mueller Park trail - because the company deemed that helicopters were "too risky."
In July, the Forest Service, battered by a storm of public protest, studied the question and concluded that helicopters could be used safely in the project.
Kern River wouldn't budge. "The risks . . . far exceed any other consideration and Kern River cannot accept that liability," said company vice president Cuba Wadlington in an Aug. 6 letter to the Forest Service.
Now, pressured by construction delays and impending Forest Service deadlines, Kern River has decided using helicopters might be a good idea after all.