soaringhiggy wrote:I think that Kevbert has given very good guidance in this matter. If you make an enemy or embarrass anyone they will look for ways to close the strip.

FLHusky wrote:What the RAF plans to do is contact Brent Monday, explain the frustration shared by all and cleary explain just how ugly this will get if they do not take action immediately.

58Skylane wrote:Anyway, I try to keep positive about this and I'll follow along with what's happening.

BTW...... why the hell does the Park Ranger feel he need's to kindly "ask" Lee to remove the truck and grader off of the government owned land??? Is Lizard Lee with or against the aviation community??

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:What would you sue them for?

Their liability in this case lies in keeping it open.

172heavy wrote:

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:What would you sue them for?

Their liability in this case lies in keeping it open.

Is there a binding agreement with the RAF to keep this strip open? I understand there was.

By restricting access to area for the disabled and elderly that could access other than by aircraft.

By encouraging and fostering public nudity in a national park. Lizard Lee and friends

By supplying and fostering Lizard lee the tools (the drag and truck) to damage NPS property (runway).

By lying about the true condition of the runway to restrict access of public lands. Question is will they lie under oath? Or only to the public? News stories love this stuff.

Generally speaking not many people like giving sworn affidavits or getting served, for Lee that’s a trip to town to talk to an attorney how many times would it take to change his tune. I suspect if Lizard Lee got served the NPS would run the other way dropping him like a hot potato.

What is there liability in keeping it open? How dose it differ from a road or 4X4 trail?

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:

172heavy wrote:

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:What would you sue them for?

Their liability in this case lies in keeping it open.

Is there a binding agreement with the RAF to keep this strip open? I understand there was.

I believe that you understand wrongly. I guess our RAF rep can answer definitively but the government doesn't often sign "binding agreements" of this sort short of actual procurement contracts and the like. It is my understanding that it was simply an agreement that would allow the RAF to perform maintenance and did as much to protect the RAF from liability as anything. I will put myself out there and guess it mentioned nothing about "protecting access" whatsoever.

By restricting access to area for the disabled and elderly that could access other than by aircraft.

Nonstarter.

By encouraging and fostering public nudity in a national park. Lizard Lee and friends

Nudity is not against regulations per se.

By supplying and fostering Lizard lee the tools (the drag and truck) to damage NPS property (runway).

By lying about the true condition of the runway to restrict access of public lands. Question is will they lie under oath? Or only to the public? News stories love this stuff.

One man's restricted access is another's resource protection. Have you read this whole thread?

Generally speaking not many people like giving sworn affidavits or getting served, for Lee that’s a trip to town to talk to an attorney how many times would it take to change his tune. I suspect if Lizard Lee got served the NPS would run the other way dropping him like a hot potato.

You can't appropriately personally serve a NPS employee or volunteer with a lawsuit related to their official duties.

What is there liability in keeping it open? How dose it differ from a road or 4X4 trail?

They can be sued by alphabet groups for allowing aircraft use that is contrary to regulation, policy, and arguably (though not by me), public law.

qmdv wrote:My e-mail
Just heard that the Chicken Strip is closed. I like to land on that strip
once a year to enjoy the hot spring. If you need volunteers to help
maintain it let me know if you schedule a work party. Winter prefered.

Sure hope that it is not cloed for good. That strip was there before Death
Valley became a NP.

We are all tax payers and weather we use the road or a gravel strip should
make no difference. My plane makes a lot less noise than an F-16.

Tim Avery


His responce

The Chicken Strip is closed for now due to severe flood damage from last
week. We are working through some legal concerns through our regional and
national aviation staff regarding an existing maintenance agreement with
the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF). Should have more information
later in the week or early next week. The park is getting ready to start
on a Management Plan for the Saline Valley area that will determine in the
long term what happens with the Chicken Strip. There will be many
opportunities for public involvement in that process. But for the shortMr Pennington:

Thanks for your responce but it looks like your statement about severe flood damage may be a bit exagerated. I think that maybe you just heard that it was severe from the person that put the white X on the strip to close it.

It a looks like one of your volunteers took it upon himself to close the strip because he just does not think that pilots should have access to that part of the world. My report came to me second hand so I am thinking of driving down in November to see this severe damage for myself. Whould it be OK to volunteer to remove the white X while I am there. Probably too much work for one old guy but I think that there are about 20 of us that can get the job done.

Please advise.

Tim


term the strip will be closed until we can get some clarification on the
legal and liability issues have maintaining the strip through the RAF
Agreement. Thank you for your concern.

Brent Pennington
Chief Ranger
Death Valley National Park
(760) 786-3245 Office
(760) 786-3246 FAX