There is s draft use plan by the BLM and NPS regarding theArizona Strip and Parashant National Monument in northern Arizona that will effectively close out all but 8 of the documented strips on the Arizona Strip. The BLM has labeled 8 strips as authorized and of those 3 or so are actually paved strips, Mesquite, Colorado City and Bar 10. They include a few dirt strips but not Grand Gulch, Pakoon Springs and Tassi Ranch which I feel are vitally important to us as trailheads. The plan is available online at www.blm/az.gov.
We at the Arizona Pilots Association are very close in getting the lease to Tuweep, expect good news by the end of March. However that leaves a bunch of potential backcountry strips up for grabs. The comment period is over March 17 for write in comments so I'll be putting up some template letters on the APA site. www.azpilots.org where you can go copy the letter, paraphrase it to your likes and send it in.
If anyone has personal experience with any of these strips I'm interested because in addition of the obvious advantages we can offer the BLM any personal input can be helpful.
Thanks

Let me know when the templates are up and I'll fire one off.

Mark

Two years ago I loaded camping gear and mountain bike and picked up my 31 year old son in Corona, CA. Off to Tuweep, AZ we went. The 182B was the very best in the world for such an adventure. There may be some debate on that.

Got there around noon and made camp. Got a visit from the local ranger. He worked there in winter and summer in Alaska. The first afternoon we biked to the north rim, it was awsom. The next day we hiked around and investigated the old homestead. Those folks that worked that ground were a bunch tuffer than I (even in my prime).

Spent two really great nights under the stars. We had everything we needed accept ice cream. No 7-11 for that but I guess that is what made it so special. We were the only ones there that weekend.

It saddens me to find that this strip has been closed. I am very fortunate to have been able to share that experience with my son Roy. I know there are still some really great places to fly in to but at the rate they are being closed, wiil I be able to do the same with my grandkids.

Tim

PS. I live on 120 Acres and am rearanging some pasturs for a place to land. When it is complete I will let you know.

Vet:

The Az. BLM web site is:

http://www.blm.gov/az/

Thanks for the heads-up. I don't have time to read the document now but I will later today. I wonder if they have it available on CD.

I am sure you are proud of their new low cost digs...

Vet:

I called BLM in St. George (1-435-688-3200). They said they would send me a CD today.

It looks like the public meetings are over. Do you know any pilots who attended and how did it look for the Backcountry Strips???

I don't recall the AOPA saying anything about this... How about the Utah BCPA?

Thanks Mr. Rat,
I knew it was something like that! Anyway there is lots of reading.
There were 3 meetings in Az and all in all about 20 pilots showed up at them. We got some consessions in theory but won't take that to the bank.
I'll be getting the sample letter out this week so those of you that want can paraphrase it and send them in by March 17th.
They have in Chapter 3 identified the strips they consider "approved" and the rest of the 21 or so are considered "unapproved". We have inventoried them and will fight for most but some don't have anything of interest around so we will conceed them.
There will be more posted on this subject soon.
No AOPA but after I complained loudly twice I now have a guy in the home office "picking" my brain for info. UBCP guys are interested and somewhat involved but at an individual level.

This sounds like a BLM tactic used here to close roads. They approve some and anything not on the list is by definition unapproved (CLOSED).

This must be part of BLM basic training. STP101 (Screw the Public).

Can you post the strips that the Arizona Pilots Assn. thinks are worth "going to bat for" that are not on their approved list.

I think the Utah Backcountry Pilots should consider this a top priority as the Strip is their back yard.

Man... I can't recall where Tassi Ranch is.

I have been to Grand Gulch a number of times and I would say it is one of the best. I give it an 8+.

Pakoon.... Well.... I like the desert a lot but I give that airstrip a 3. But save it anyway. What was the story there did BLM try to drill water wells for some reason??? Harsh spot.

The guys over in St. George know all about these strips.

Hal Hilburn still around???

This is the word I got from the Utah Backcountry Pilots.

The Parashant Management Plan preferred alternative by the BLM is to not only close every landing strip in the NM, but obliterate them. This includes Pakoon and Grand Gulch.

If you want to read about Grand Gulch here it is...

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

Hey... how about someone from Az. or Utah or Las Vegs or St. George jump in here and tell everyone what a great place this really is.

Grand Gulch is one we have got to fight for! One key factor is that it is eligable for a spot on the NRHP. If we could get the BLM to recognize that we will have a chance. The exploring around there is great and to see what others have done years ago is amazing.

Tassi Ranch is situated near the upper end of what has been and will be again lake Mead. For now it is close to the river that feeds into the lake, to me this makes it a fantastic fly in opportunity and recreation spot.

Pakoon Springs in kinda deserted but nome the less quite interesting. The problem is that it is in a area where the desert tortise in known to be.

Copper Mine is inside the SFAR, amybe more than 3 nm, quite challenging and unique in that it sits upon a mesa. Interesting but maybe to far inside. I'll be checking this out soon.

Lake Flat is also inside, haven't been there so I'll have to see if there is anything to do there.

Like I said before Tuweep is within the grasp and will be open under a lease agreement soon.

Vet:
Do you have the Lat/Lon for "Copper Mine"???

Mr Rat
Copper Mountain N 36 09.67 W 113 20. 89 inside SFAR
Tassi Ranch N 36 15.08 W 113 57.95 close to water

I'll be leaving for BAJA in a couple of hours so I may not answer anything till next Monday. fly safe this weekend you all!

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...

I have to admit this is bumming me out tonight....

If you have a copy of the Draft Plan you might look at these areas:

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. (everything else must be unauthorized)

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.

Just FYI,

The UBCP is and has been involved in the Arizona Strip at more than just an individual level. Steve Durtschi and Hal Hilburn (among others) have been trying to galvanize the APA for years. We are extrememly happy to see it finally happening! As a group, we have many members who frequent those airstrips, and our funds have been used to give presentations to the BLM. We continue to be involved here and at the Chicken Strip. The next UBCP newsletter will give details this month...

M

Hey Bumpkin:

I talked to Hal H. some last week. I have spoken with Steve but he didn't seem to be interested in Grand Gulch. (other than to say it was probably history). It is, after all, way down there in Arizona.
I have been to Grand Gulch with Hal H. and some others from the St. George area.

I have been looking at the UBCP web site and I don't recall anything about the Arizona Strip. (same for the APA)

BTW It is sort of late in the process to get anything on the table. The public comments close on the 17Th. I hope the APA can do something.

I asked BLM a number of questions (about the airstrips in general) which they have yet to respond to. (I am sure they will). My understanding, from talking with BLM, was that other than Flagstaff the number of Pilots at the scoping meetings was more or less zip. That is exactly what I would expect. I once had a meeting with the Forest Service and I was alone with two of them.

Well... as far as Chicken Strip. I am not willing to go to the NPS with my hat in hand and take what I am given. Sorry...

There is a LONG history there and I have my doubts about any 90 day wonder deal with the Park Service.
Reynolds wants one thing.. To get out of there and move on to somewhere like Yosemite. No waves. No black marks. The name of the game is "what's in it for me". Illegal airstrips with naked people running around smoking.... Not in his game plan. This is all about Boomers with Motor Homes that don't cause problems or write letters. I told Steve as much.
I am 100% sure Reynolds wants that strip closed. Just as I am 100% sure he doesn't want any Rangers flying around in airplanes. ( I support him on that point). I want them on horse back or mt. bikes.
I suspect that I have flown into "Chicken Strip" as many times as anyone so... No one asked me what I wanted. The Bishop airport is very close and I don't recall anyone seeking our input. I guess I was sick the day the UBCP showed up.
No one from Utah (that I can recall) ever helped me remove the rocks that the Park Service placed across the old strip by the springs. That was so you would kill yourself if you did land there.

O.K. I hate it when I rant. I will shut up now..

And another thing "Bumpkin" For Your Information:

Here is what I got from UBCP.......LOL

There are several pilots who are opposing the management plan, and I hope they can do some good, but frankly, I am skeptical. I am not tuned in politically to the situation, but my impression is that the Grand Canyon National Park management is influencing the monument management plan.

With that kind of effort by local pilot groups it really makes me want to help.

It appears you have really not done much research regarding what the UBCP has/has not done. I know Steve very well and you are misinterpreting something he said - if you have actually even spoken with him at all. UBCP has been very successful IN Utah, but we have a long way to go. We have extended our efforts across the state borders due to the interestes of our members, and are trying to help spark efforts from local groups in other states; including the aforementioned areas.

It is a given that we will not win EVERY battle we fight. OF COURSE there are many groups "influencing" the resource management plan. That is the purpose of open public comment. All groups have the right to present their opinions. As a pilot group we have to be strong and timely with our voices and be sure our presentations to the "decision makers" are tactful, logical, and promote the very best side of aviation. The UBCP has great folks doing this, including (but not limited to) Karl Spielman, Rob Hunter, Hal Hilburn, and Steve Durtschi.

Your combative tone and language does not help our cause. You should keep that in mind when dealing with your allies (me, UBCP, others on this forum, etc); even more importantly this applies to your enemies, and most importantly of all to those who would have the final word on decisions regarding our aviation livelihood (BLM, Forest Service, etc).

Matt

PS. "Bumpkin" huh? That's a good one.

This past weekend Hal Hilburn from St George came down to the Cactus Fly-in where the Arizona Pilots Association had him present a discussion on the Az Strip plan and some pointers on what to do where to send comments ect. It was well attended by more than 50 people. They came, saw, heard and went away with a handout that gave them info to put in writing. So many went away saying they would comment and do it before the 17th, I am encouraged by the response.
Thank you Hal for sharing with us and making the effort to come all the way down to us.