When the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) was put in place we lost some excellent backcountry landing strips. We now have an opportunity to try and get at least some of them back. The BLM is doing phase two of the Grand Staircase Region Recreation Study and is soliciting input from the public, so we have an opportunity to voice desire to have at least some of the closed airstrips re-opened. The points of contact are Allysia Angus GSENM landscape Architect/land use planner at 435-826-5615 or [email protected] , and Dr. Casey at 970-248-1095 or [email protected] . Please send an email to these individual expressing you desire to have these landing strips reopened. Colt Mesa, 37°44.389’N, 111°05.292’W; Grand Bench Neck, 37°16.74’N, 111°11.70’W; Collet Top, 37°27.38’N, 111°28.02’ W; Horse Mountain, 37°31.44’N, 111°41.18’W; Squaw Bench, 37°22.09’N, 111°39.80’W; Pilot Knoll 37°14.59’N, 111° 29.46’W
Here are some examples of a email to send.
As an avid recreational back country flyer, I try to make two or three trips per year to back country areas. Utah has been my focus for my trips in the next couple of years, and I have been very disappointed to find that there are very few strips open to aviation adventurers, but the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) is available to Four Wheelers and ATV's, which have a much greater environmental impact than aircraft could ever have. It has come to my attention that the airstrips listed above are up for consideration as part of a regional recreational review. I would like to lend my support to the request to open these airstrips, and would have a personal interest in using them in the next 24 months. As a taxpayer, I have an interest in these recreational areas and do not understand being restricted from using them as an aviator. Leaving those airstrips open for our use has a much less liability exposure and environmental impact than other land based uses, as well as nominal costs. In fact, I belong to two recreational flying organizations that regularly complete projects at such airstrips to help enhance safe operations and provide upkeep. Please consider reopening the airstrips listed above, and in the future, please consider that aviation users should have just as much right to the use of land owned by the taxpayers of the United States as other recreational users.
While other recreational vehicles, ATV’s and four wheelers were provide area in the GSENM recreational aviation interests were over looked originally in the Management and the back country airstrips were closed. These airstrips, created prior to 1976, have provided access for pilot to get to several scenic areas in the GSENM for camping and hiking. The loss of these airstrips has been felt by the aviation community that previously used them. The environment impact of aviation use of these few area is considerably less than ATVs and four wheelers and is liability no greater. The environment foot print is minor compared to that of other motorized vehicles and airplanes are not going to wander off their assigned areas. These strip should be re-open so recreation aviation can continue the long tradition of using these strips. These strip would also serve as emergency landing strips for aircraft over flying the area.

The strips that should be reopened up are: Colt Mesa, 37°44.389’N, 111°05.292’W; Grand Bench Neck, 37°16.74’N, 111°11.70’W; Collet Top, 37°27.38’N, 111°28.02’ W; Horse Mountain, 37°31.44’N, 111°41.18’W; Squaw Bench, 37°22.09’N, 111°39.80’W; Pilot Knoll 37°14.59’N, 111° 29.46’W

Have you gotten your state Liaison from the RAF involved? If not go to www.theraf.org find out who he is and call him.

Rick Lach