Count me in on a work party! Lets hear some "Ditto's" out there!

Windknot54 wrote:I have recently accepted the position as Oregon State Liaison for the RAF. I'm new to the job so, please, be gentle with me.

I agree that the Fall River airstrip would be an excellent issue for the RAF to get involved with. I am encouraged by the interest shown by BCP members and the apparent willingness of folks to get actively involved. I will try to have face to face discussions with the various factions of the USFS as soon as possible to see how we can move a project forward to reopen the Fall River strip.

In dealing with the government patience is required. However, demonstrating our interest, and willingness to invest sweat equity, will be a positive move towards a solution. Give me a chance to work with the District Ranger and please direct your ideas through me so we don't overwhelm him.

I appreciate your support on this issue.

Best news I have heard in a while. Cool.

A short update on what is happening in regards to the Fall River Hatchery airstrip. As the Oregon liaison for the RAF, I have initiated discussions with the USFS to see if we can get the airstrip reopened. I have had meetings with the District Ranger and representatives of the Aviation and Recreation groups, all of whom have been generally open to the idea and helpful in identifying what needs to be done. I have also approached OPA asking them to support the proposal in order to show wide interest by the aviation community.

It appears that the airstrip was originally built by ODFW to haul fish out of the hatchery to stock the local lakes. There was a land use permit allowing the operation of the airstrip for that purpose. That land use permit expired several years ago. The District Ranger is currently researching what would be required to get a new land use permit in place; hopefully, without undertaking a new environmental impact assessment.

Once the land use permit issue is resolved, the USFS and RAF would work together to develop a plan to clear the airstrip, promote safe use, and provide regular maintenance. I hope we can get all this paperwork exercise completed over the coming winter. If we do, we will be looking for volunteer work parties next Spring to clear the airstrip and get it back into useable condition. Fingers crossed - we'll get it done.

Windknot54 wrote:A short update on what is happening in regards to the Fall River Hatchery airstrip. As the Oregon liaison for the RAF, I have initiated discussions with the USFS to see if we can get the airstrip reopened. I have had meetings with the District Ranger and representatives of the Aviation and Recreation groups, all of whom have been generally open to the idea and helpful in identifying what needs to be done. I have also approached OPA asking them to support the proposal in order to show wide interest by the aviation community.

It appears that the airstrip was originally built by ODFW to haul fish out of the hatchery to stock the local lakes. There was a land use permit allowing the operation of the airstrip for that purpose. That land use permit expired several years ago. The District Ranger is currently researching what would be required to get a new land use permit in place; hopefully, without undertaking a new environmental impact assessment.

Once the land use permit issue is resolved, the USFS and RAF would work together to develop a plan to clear the airstrip, promote safe use, and provide regular maintenance. I hope we can get all this paperwork exercise completed over the coming winter. If we do, we will be looking for volunteer work parties next Spring to clear the airstrip and get it back into useable condition. Fingers crossed - we'll get it done.

You say the word, and I will be down there with truck, saws, shovels, weed whackers, etc... If there is anything that can be done in the mean time, do tell?

Thanks for the offers of support. There is nothing much to do at the moment as we are working through some legal issues related to land use and liability. Everyone at USFS has been positive and helpful so, hopefully, next Spring we can get something started. I'll work to keep everyone informed of progress.

Resurrecting an old thread. @Windknot54 any news on the progress of this airstrip?

I flew over it at low level last evening. There's a very big rock on the ground at the west end.

Many small trees on the east end have reduced the length to about half of what it once was.

Walked it a year ago and there is enough space to get down and land to the west if you are reasonably good at landing short.

I frequented this strip ten plus years ago.

TriPacerPilot wrote:Resurrecting an old thread. @Windknot54 any news on the progress of this airstrip?

Unfortunately, no. I was completely shut down on this by USFS in November 2016. The District Ranger just wasn't interested in the discussion. In his rejection letter, which was issued before I even had an opportunity to formally present our case for reopening the airstrip, it was quite clear that he considered the matter closed.

So, I'm actually biding my time awaiting a change in management. Rangers come and go, the airstrip remains. Perhaps the next one will be more open minded.

That's too bad. Looks like a really cool spot to explore.

@Windknot54l it is about time for a revival of this topic it has been a few years.