Arizona Strip airstrips

[Desert Rat]

It looks like BLM will be tearing up this beautiful airstrip on the "Arizona Strip" as part of the Parshant National Monument management plan.

It seems that in all of Arizona they couldn't find enough pilots who care about this sort of airstrip to sway the planning process. I heard they only had about 20 at the public meetings. Actually the process isn't over. I think they (BLM) are accepting feedback until March 17 2006.

You can read about it here:

http://www.swaviator.com/html/issueas01/Gulch.html

Send comments to:


Planning Team, Arizona Strip District
345 East Riverside Drive
St. George, UT 84790
E-Mail comments to: Arizona_Strip@blm.gov FAX comments to: (435)688-3388

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10267/Grand_Gulch_7.jpg[/url]

[cub_driver]

I took the time to send the BLM my feelings about there plan. I would hope others would also tell the BLM we would like to have the public strips kept opened for use in emergency and pleasure. These remote strip are alternative landing areas for general aviators, who in a emergency need to have options.

Supercub.org and its members are becoming a voice to listen to. Take the time to protect your rights as a aviator.

Cub_Driver

[Christina Young]

I can't believe that they would actually waste taxpayer's money to "tear up" something that isn't doing anyone any harm. Well, since their govt bureaucrats maybe I can.

This is sad, such a beautiful place, loaded with history, and the bureaucrats that "own" the land want to prevent the citizens from visiting it!

I would like to fly my cub around the west maybe next year, and would like to visit a place like this. I'll be writing a snail mail letter to the address today, since I think that probably stands out better than e-mail.

[rplemmons]

I just sent an email in opposition to closure of the Grand Gulch airstrip. My minor, but important contribution to save this airstrip. Numbers do count and if enough citizens voice their concern we may be able to save this airstrip.

[highroads]

My letter went in also. Voices in large numbers cannot be easily ignored.

[Desert Rat]

Thanks for the help. The pilots in the St. George area have put in a lot of hours out there. I have been there four times and all I can say is go have a look. It is an amazing place.

Please get everyone you know to send BLM a message. They may get our message... :bad-words:

[Desert Rat]

O.K. I was just looking over BLM's Arizona Strip management plan on CD.

Here is the big picture.

Size: 1277 pages. Some of the chapters are so large they take 30 seconds to load from a CD.

My conclusion:
If you live in a city BLM wants you to stay there. Don't tresspass on their land. POSTED keep out. Unless you are a desert cottontail rabbit in which case you can do as you like.

I would like to see BLM do this. I will give them a location on the Arizona Strip, this CD and a computer and they tell me how their plan would impact that spot.

Alternative E which is the preferred alternative (preferred by the BLM obviously) would close any airstrip that is not next to a town. So... We is screwed.

My guess is that they pick E. I go with alternative A which says "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

Anyway please send them a FAX or E-mail and tell um what you think...

:bad-words: :bad-words: :bad-words:

[T.J.]

delete

[diggler]

delete

[Christina Young]

BTW, here is the main site for this proposed plan:

http://www.blm.gov/az/LUP/strip/reports.htm

And the plan itself:

http://www.blm.gov/az/LUP/strip/docs/DEIS/AZSTRIP_Introductory.pdf

[centmont]

Can someone tell me where we are in the planning process....from the cover pages it looks like there is a final rule out there. If so, going back to the BLM is a total waste of time. If still open, when do comments close? We are going through the same thing here and would like to help....Ralph, Montana

[arecit]

Can someone tell me where we are in the planning process....from the cover pages it looks like there is a final rule out there. If so, going back to the BLM is a total waste of time. If still open, when do comments close? We are going through the same thing here and would like to help....Ralph, Montana

fyi: taken from:

http://www.blm.gov/az/LUP/strip/involved.htm

Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan Revision, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Management Plan
(jointly managed with the National Park Service), and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Management Plan
How to Get Involved
Information and comments from you will make land use planning for the Arizona Strip, including Grand Canyon-Parashant and Vermilion Cliffs National Monuments, much better. Please take the time to comment. In order to be fully considered in the Final EIS, your comments must be postmarked no later than March 17, 2006.
The Proposed Plan/Final EIS should be available to the public by the Fall of 2006. There will then be a 30-day protest period on the BLM decisions in the FEIS. Final Records of Decision and Management Plans for the Monuments and the Arizona Strip Field Office should be completed by summer of 2007.
If you would like to receive planning information, send your name, address, and/or email address to:

Planning Team
Arizona Strip District BLM
345 East Riverside Drive
St. George, UT 84790
You may use this form to submit comments or concerns. Or email us at Arizona_Strip@blm.gov

If you have questions or want to find out more about planning on the Arizona Strip, contact:

Diana Hawks
Planning Team Leader
(435) 688-3266

Scott Florence, District Manager
Arizona Strip District
(435) 688-3301

Dennis Curtis, Monument Manager
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
(435) 688-3202

NPS Superintendent
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
(435) 688-3226

Becky Hammond, Field Manager
Arizona Strip Field Office
(435) 688-3323

Linda Price, Monument Manager
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
(435) 688-3241

[Christina Young]

My conclusion:
If you live in a city BLM wants you to stay there. Don't tresspass on their land. POSTED keep out. Unless you are a desert cottontail rabbit in which case you can do as you like.


This is all part of the greater plan to grab as much land as they can, get people off of it and keep them off. Shut down as much wilderness access as possible. Here is a similar effort in another area of the country:

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49100

[Desert Rat]

From my experience, your wasting your time contacting BLM or FWS.

I hate to say it but I think T.J. is correct.

About five years ago I was attempting to get the Forest Service to leave an airstrip near here (BIH) useable for landing after they removed the asphalt. It was, at the time, the highest charted airstrip in the country. (9800') (Coyote Flats). Anyway they told me I had no say in the matter and they could do anything they wanted. I sent a letter to our rep. in Congress and he sent a letter to the Forest Super. The next thing I know they were calling me wanting to know how they can resolve this "misunderstanding". They even asked how much length I wanted them to leave. it all worked fine and naturally the dirt is much better than the asphalt anyway.

Back to the Draft Plan. In Chapter 2, PP-103 it says that Grand Gulch Mine site would be allocated for "public use".

"public use" is defined in Appendix 2.J - 1 as "recreational uses by the general public" (That sounds like us)

The problem: In Chapter 3, PP-102 it says " Pakoon, Imlay, Bar Ten, Colorado City, Cliff Dwellers, Marble Canyon and Mesquite are authorized airstrips.

In Chapter 2, PP-79 "Unauthorized airstrips or dumpsites in special status species habitat would be given the highest priority for removal and cleanup actions. (they give airstrips and dumpsites the same status).

Anyway there are 47 "Special Status Species" (we ain't one of them) in the Arizona Strip.

I guess all we can do is try.

[Christina Young]

BTW, is AOPA aware of this or been contacted? I know they helped in the past to save backcountry airstrips in Idaho & Montana, why not in Arizona too....

[MacNab]

About five years ago I was attempting to get the Forest Service to leave an airstrip near here (BIH) useable for landing after they removed the asphalt. It was, at the time, the highest charted airstrip in the country. (9800') (Coyote Flats). Anyway they told me I had no say in the matter and they could do anything they wanted. I sent a letter to our rep. in Congress and he sent a letter to the Forest Super. The next thing I know they were calling me wanting to know how they can resolve this "misunderstanding". They even asked how much length I wanted them to leave. it all worked fine and naturally the dirt is much better than the asphalt anyway.

Sounds like you're sayin I can park my plane at Coyote Flats and go backpacking and fishing up at Baker Lake and Thunder and Lightning Lake and not have to worry about the forest service dismantling my plane and trucking it away while I'm gone - or should I still worry about what those 'nice folks' might do?

[Desert Rat]

Hey Rocket Man:
You are correct. I have been there many times and never had any problems. The letter is in the airplane. I will get it and post a copy here. There is a bit of snow there now so probably no rush.
As far as leaving the airplane there are no cows anymore and the strip has a fence around it.
This is a plateau above (West of) Coyote Flats and all of the lakes. If you walk over to the edge you are looking down at South Lake (way down on South Lake)

I know... I know... It's not a SC. Those are only 8.50's. It has 4 seats. No stick. I am so ashamed. I was dropped on my head when I was a baby... :roll: :roll:

My god... You are one of us.. Er... I mean them. Oh Man... :o :o :o


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f365/geoderrick/Coyote_Ridge.jpg

[Desert Rat]

I sent Rocketer the complete Forest Service letter. Here is the part that I think many of you will like... "Inyo" means Inyo National Forest.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f365/geoderrick/littledoc.jpg

[Christina Young]

BTW, is AOPA aware of this or been contacted? I know they helped in the past to save backcountry airstrips in Idaho & Montana, why not in Arizona too....

FYI, I just got off the phone with the AOPA, and they told me they are indeed aware of this, doing an impact analysis on GA and are in the process of formulating their response. They said they are also working the D.C. side to save these airstrips. The AOPA western rep for advocacy is Stacy Howard (stacy.howard@aopa.org)

BTW, I sent hardcopy letters to both the BLM and also my Congressman about this.

[Desert Rat]

ok ok I should probably shut up while I am ahead but.... :crazyeyes:

My reasearch leads me to the conclusion that Grand Gulch airstrip may be the only one in danger. That is all for now.

I have a copy of the Management Plan (DEIS) on CD and if anyone would like me to search it for some keywoard(s) I will be glad to do so.