Big Strip up the Skwentna River bulldozed

[N3243A]

Just a heads up guys. The big 2500' + long airstrip on State of Alaska Land in the river bottom at the confluence of the Hayes and Skwentna Rivers has been bulldozed. Strip is also about 8 miles west of Shell Lake. Someone ran a Bobcat or small dozer with the blade dropped to create berms back and forth across this beautiful strip about 30 times in an obvious effort to ruin it from further use within the last month. This was an excellent public use strip that was a good put down spot to wait for weather going or coming from Rainy Pass or just to take a break or dump in some gas. It was good safe landing spot for everything from a Supercub to a Navajo. Don't know why anyone would do this but it is a serious hazard to aviation for the unwary and the strip is ruined.

[aktango58]

Is that the mine strip?

That sux, but you might find out who owns the land and ask why. It may have been a requirement for them to destroy it upon leaving.

[BRQ1]

Removed

[sierra bravo]

The borough tax folks will tell you who owns the land if you can provide an accurate location description. If it's private property? Tough luck. If not? http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/akstatut...20./02.20.050.

[N3243A]

I imagine it is Joe Beach's handy work, I stopped by a couple weeks ago to look at the cabin for sale on the strip and he did not seem any to happy about my being there or the thought of anyone buying the place. He lives on the top of the bluff.

I think you are probably correct because who else has access to this airstrip with a piece of equipment? I too looked at the cabin for sale on the airstrip over Memorial Day Weekend and met Mr. Beach. He was actually very nice to me though and explained how the strip was built on State Land and that he maintained it. He even invited me to stop by anytime if I needed emergency gas. There is a serious problem with the property/cabin for sale on the strip though that may have prompted him to doze it up.

I have researched the real estate the strip is on and it its definetely State of Alaska land with no defining state survey number or ADL (Alaska Division of Lands) number. I think Joe hacked the strip out by hand to get larger aircraft in to haul in building materials in a Skyvan. Dozing the strip up has in my opinion cut the value of all the properties in the area (including his own) by about half.

[Lars Gleitsmann]

Hi,
Gee that is awful, pisses me off...
We need MORE Airstrips not less!
See here pictures of this BIG old Herc Oilstrip in the same general area.
Who own that one ? Legal to use? Did not see any house nearby....
Regards,
LarsOld_C130_Airstrip_Yentna_7550.jpgOld_C130_Airstrip_Yentna_7549.jpg

[tempdoug]

Not trying to say this in a smartass way but maybe the person whoever did its, view. Maybe he dosent want 400 cabins out in his piece of paradise. Seen it in a town near me, small piece of land for sale, next thing you know theres a shopping mall there. Maybe he wants the value of the land cut to nothing. I dont know because i dont live there JUST SAYING.

[aktango58]

Not trying to say this in a smartass way but maybe the person whoever did its, view. Maybe he dosent want 400 cabins out in his piece of paradise. Seen it in a town near me, small piece of land for sale, next thing you know theres a shopping mall there. Maybe he wants the value of the land cut to nothing. I dont know because i dont live there JUST SAYING.

Then that person should buy the land themselves...

The carving of the airstrip is against the law. Alaska has some very good laws protecting PUBLIC land.

If the neighbors did not want the mall, they should have bought the land.

Why is it that neighbors always want things just like they are now, and could give a damn about the neighbors rights to use their property?

When you buy a place, do you check the zoning? how about the zoning around you? if you don't, it is your own fault.

People breaking the law and causing great danger to others, like ruining a PUBLIC AIRSTRIP should go to jail. Consider it a terrorist activity. The other property owners deserve the right to that strip also, not just one guy.

[qsmx440]

aktango58: Great post. If "the village" wants to control, oversee, steward, prevent development and all the other crap, buy it, and for the price the buyer wants. Don't steal what isn't yours!

[tempdoug]

[QUOTE=aktango58;565135]Then that person should buy the land themselves...

The carving of the airstrip is against the law. Alaska has some very good laws protecting PUBLIC land.

If the neighbors did not want the mall, they should have bought the land.

Why is it that neighbors always want things just like they are now, and could give a damn about the neighbors rights to use their property?

When you buy a place, do you check the zoning? how about the zoning around you? if you don't, it is your own fault.

People breaking the law and causing great danger to others, like ruining a PUBLIC AIRSTRIP should go to jail. Consider it a terrorist activity. The other property owners deserve the right to that strip also, not just one guy.[/QUOTE So if he is the guy that maintained that strip why did he do it? Thats what im getting at. And if the state had him do it its not a terrorist activity. What if someone came on here and said you did it?

[tempdoug]

And maybe he dosent know a thing about it. Now this website established a reputation for a guy. Was there jurors involved? If we want to talk laws.

[aktango58]

let me rephrase the last bit:

Not just one individual.

I am not saying what individual did it, only know the rumors, (from those that saw it happening). It was not at the state's behest from what research I have seen, was a private decision.

And the state does not pay to have strips destroyed, only the feds do that cra....

[tempdoug]

Its rumors that makes this world a great place.

[qsmx440]

aktango58: Great post. If "the village" wants to control, oversee, steward, prevent development and all the other crap, buy it, and for the price the buyer wants. Don't steal what isn't yours!

AK I have to derate your post from great to very good I made the assumption that the strip belonged to one individual and I bet you were coming from that point also. If he chose to bulldoze it then it's his business if he owned it. If it's NOT his property then, and if there is evidence, he needs to be charged with whatever crime that would entail and be punished and forced to pay restitution and loss of use for everyday it's closed. It's an extremely arrogant and selfish act for a non owner be it a private individual or some "non profit" to commandeer or take land that they don't own either through overt action (bulldozing) or seemingly "goody two shoes" (legislation influence).

[tempdoug]

I have to apologize for my first post but i was just saying how it possibly lit SOMEONES match. Im not going to delete it someone else can do that. And it dont matter if he owns it or not this isnt the place for it just call the cops. By the way. The very 1st post was great because it was a heads up to everyone. But seeing names, ouch. ALL MY OPINION.

[swoeric]

maybe their punishment should be purchasing one set of 35 in bushwheels for any folks that fly in the area and would have liked to use the strip