The Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration over the weekend issued proposed regulations on the use of the small, unmanned aircraft systems known as drones.

“The FAA proposal offers safety rules for small UAS (under 55 pounds) conducting non-recreational operations. The rule would limit flights to daylight and visual-line-of-sight operations. It also addresses height restrictions, operator certification, optional use of a visual observer, aircraft registration and marking, and operational limits,” the FAA said in a news release.

The public will be able to comment on the regulations for a 60-day period.

Farm leaders have said that the drones could help farmers monitor their crops, but they have also expressed concerns that private companies could obtain information about crops that could interfere with markets, and that federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency might use drones to monitor the agricultural facilities such as confined animal feeding operations known as CAFOs.

KUNC, a northern Colorado radio station, reported over the weekend that a Colorado company is working on drones for agricultural purposes.

▪ Federal Aviation Administration — DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
— Regulation proposal: Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
— Overview of Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
— Fact Sheet: Unmanned Aircraft Systems
▪ KUNC — Colorado Tech Start-Ups Bet The Farm On Agricultural Drones