shortfielder wrote:Federal gov't is expanding the lands they are claiming...

Gary

Dear Sen. Wyden,

I am writing to express my support of Senate Bill 452, the Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act.

As a native Oregonian, current Portland resident, and private pilot, I believe that this legislation is a positive step in protecting valuable and historic backcountry airports from being rendered off-limits by environmental conservation land-designation legislation.

First, I'd like to say that I am strongly in support of reasonable conservation efforts to protect our untouched lands from development and abuse. I believe that it's our duty to act as stewards of wilderness and maintain a reasonable quantity of land that is free from the influence of roads and mechanization, but there also must be moderation and exception allowed in this legislation should it ever be enacted. That is why I believe S.452 is important.

Light aircraft present an efficient and footprint-free means of transportation in the backcountry. While they have wheels for landing gear, the wheels are free-spinning and do not propel the craft like a car or ATV, therefore the ground they land upon is not disturbed any more than by a human on foot or horseback. The environmental impact of light aircraft is simply not comparable to cars, motorcycles, ATVs, or building development, and it is most often the case that a visiting aircraft leaves no trace at all.

The Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act, introduced by Senator Crapo of Idaho, will serve to protect existing backcountry airstrips from being rendered off-limits by possible future land conservation legislation. Many of these airstrips have great historic value, provide critical access for fire fighting personnel, and are simply treasures that represent the adventurous spirit of aviation. Leaving them unprotected by some sort of grandfathering legislation almost ensures the prohibition of their use in the future, as recreational access to Federal lands becomes more and more restricted.

While this legislation is being introduced by an Idaho senator, with obvious focus on the rich network of backcountry airstrips in that state, our own state of Oregon is also graced with similar resources, and I'd like to see my access to those protected, and possibly even enhanced. This sentiment is strongly shared by other pilots in Oregon's sizable aviation community.

According to 2008 FAA statistics, there are 613,746 active pilots in the US. 67,129 of those reside in the Northwest. 9,740 of those are Oregonians. As a pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast, I can assure you that nearly every pilot, as well as would-be pilots, is enamored with the concept of backcountry flying. It is one of the alluring and exciting aspects of the hobby that represents the adventure and utility of aviation.

I'd like to request your support of this bill (S.452) as member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sincerely,
Zane Jacobson
Portland, OR

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:

shortfielder wrote:Federal gov't is expanding the lands they are claiming...

Gary

I'd like to hear more about this?

TrevDog wrote:email sent to John McCain

z3skybolt wrote:

TrevDog wrote:email sent to John McCain

Guys,

I appreciate your efforts. However, having done a bit of "congressional lobbying" in my time, let me warn you. Emails are dropped into the shitter faster than the toilet can flush. Our congressional reps. feel that if you are not concerned enough to put a bit more effort into your exercise of democracy....then neither are they.

Communication by constituants is ranked as follows..

1. Personal appearance at the congressional office.

2. Personal telephone call

3. Personal written letter.

4. Email

5. Mass mailing or copycat emails.

Bob



P.S. I failed to mention the most effective communication...CASH IN AN ENVELOPE. Sorry...didn't really mean that.

Sincerly...if you want action..talk to their office personally or by phone ..... at least write a personal letter.