Jerry Cain
Member
Here is the news release o the recent USFS policy directive with respect to airstrips on National Forest Lands. The Recreational Aviation Foundation has worked for several years to get this to happen. One of our top accomplishments.
Recreational Aviation Foundation
1711 West College Avenue
Bozeman, Montana 59715
NEWS RELEASE Contact: Carmine Mowbray
July 12, 2009 Phone: 406-883-4677
For immediate release Email: clarity@cyberport.net
Forest Service Underlines Importance of Backcountry Aviation
Following years of work and discussions, on July 2 Abigail Kimbell, Chief of
the U. S. Forest Service, signed a directive acknowledging the long and proud
history of aviation use and airstrips on forest service lands, and asked USFS
managers at all levels to inventory and maintain existing facilities, and to
support aviation as an important recreational activity. This action resulted
from meetings between representatives of the Recreational Aviation
Foundation and a team of senior Forest Service executives in Washington.
Similar to policy statements regarding many other classes of the public and
user groups such as hikers, fishermen, and boaters, the memorandum says:
“Aviation has been part of our country's heritage, both as a mode of
transportation and as a means of access to remote and scenic areas for a wide
variety of purposes. Backcountry airstrips are an appropriate use of National
Forest System (NFS) lands as they provide enhanced access for a variety of
legitimate recreational activities… Recreational aircraft and backcountry
airstrips can be an integral part of a balanced and efficient transportation
system.”
From the earliest days of aviation a system of backcountry airstrips has served
the forest service and its users, providing support for forest managers, fire
crews, and medical evacuation aircraft. And countless backpackers, campers,
boaters, and fishermen have used them to gain access to remote parts of the
forest.
Unlike other recreational facilities requiring hundreds of miles of roadways,
airstrips require minimal disturbance of the natural landscape, while serving as
internal trailheads for remote areas. Airplanes do not have driven wheels so
they do not churn up fragile landscapes the way other vehicles do. They are
considered a low-impact use.
In addition the document notes the importance of existing and future mutually
beneficial relationships with aviation groups, similar to those with other
groups. It says “Operation and maintenance of airstrips may provide
opportunities for cooperative relationships under Challenge-Cost Share and
other authorities. The recreation pilot communities are significantly engaged in
providing funding, human resources, expertise, and equipment for backcountry
airstrips on NFS lands. ... The use of volunteers in joint development of
Russian Flat public airstrip on the Judith Ranger District, Lewis and Clark
National Forest in Montana is an excellent example of cooperative
development.”
John McKenna, President of the Recreation Aviation Foundation, notes: “After
many years of discussion we here at the RAF are very pleased to have a good
working relationship with the USFS. The USFS has worked hard to better
understand the desires and uses of the aviation community, and this document
communicates that understanding. We look forward to building on the
partnership and the trust this document brings forth.”
The Recreational Aviation Foundation, devoted to the perpetuation and
improvement of recreational aviation opportunities on both public and private
lands, congratulated the Forest Service for its recognition of aviation’s
importance, and also acknowledged the contributions of dozens of state, local,
and other aviation groups in building and maintaining strong relationships with
land management agencies, creating the foundation for a strong system of
backcountry airstrips.
For further information please visit www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org.
--- ### ---
Editor: if the full release is not used, please provide a link to it on the web at:
http://www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org/news090712.pdf
A link to the release is also on the RAF home page. Thank you!!
Recreational Aviation Foundation
1711 West College Avenue
Bozeman, Montana 59715
NEWS RELEASE Contact: Carmine Mowbray
July 12, 2009 Phone: 406-883-4677
For immediate release Email: clarity@cyberport.net
Forest Service Underlines Importance of Backcountry Aviation
Following years of work and discussions, on July 2 Abigail Kimbell, Chief of
the U. S. Forest Service, signed a directive acknowledging the long and proud
history of aviation use and airstrips on forest service lands, and asked USFS
managers at all levels to inventory and maintain existing facilities, and to
support aviation as an important recreational activity. This action resulted
from meetings between representatives of the Recreational Aviation
Foundation and a team of senior Forest Service executives in Washington.
Similar to policy statements regarding many other classes of the public and
user groups such as hikers, fishermen, and boaters, the memorandum says:
“Aviation has been part of our country's heritage, both as a mode of
transportation and as a means of access to remote and scenic areas for a wide
variety of purposes. Backcountry airstrips are an appropriate use of National
Forest System (NFS) lands as they provide enhanced access for a variety of
legitimate recreational activities… Recreational aircraft and backcountry
airstrips can be an integral part of a balanced and efficient transportation
system.”
From the earliest days of aviation a system of backcountry airstrips has served
the forest service and its users, providing support for forest managers, fire
crews, and medical evacuation aircraft. And countless backpackers, campers,
boaters, and fishermen have used them to gain access to remote parts of the
forest.
Unlike other recreational facilities requiring hundreds of miles of roadways,
airstrips require minimal disturbance of the natural landscape, while serving as
internal trailheads for remote areas. Airplanes do not have driven wheels so
they do not churn up fragile landscapes the way other vehicles do. They are
considered a low-impact use.
In addition the document notes the importance of existing and future mutually
beneficial relationships with aviation groups, similar to those with other
groups. It says “Operation and maintenance of airstrips may provide
opportunities for cooperative relationships under Challenge-Cost Share and
other authorities. The recreation pilot communities are significantly engaged in
providing funding, human resources, expertise, and equipment for backcountry
airstrips on NFS lands. ... The use of volunteers in joint development of
Russian Flat public airstrip on the Judith Ranger District, Lewis and Clark
National Forest in Montana is an excellent example of cooperative
development.”
John McKenna, President of the Recreation Aviation Foundation, notes: “After
many years of discussion we here at the RAF are very pleased to have a good
working relationship with the USFS. The USFS has worked hard to better
understand the desires and uses of the aviation community, and this document
communicates that understanding. We look forward to building on the
partnership and the trust this document brings forth.”
The Recreational Aviation Foundation, devoted to the perpetuation and
improvement of recreational aviation opportunities on both public and private
lands, congratulated the Forest Service for its recognition of aviation’s
importance, and also acknowledged the contributions of dozens of state, local,
and other aviation groups in building and maintaining strong relationships with
land management agencies, creating the foundation for a strong system of
backcountry airstrips.
For further information please visit www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org.
--- ### ---
Editor: if the full release is not used, please provide a link to it on the web at:
http://www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org/news090712.pdf
A link to the release is also on the RAF home page. Thank you!!