Dear xxxx,



RAF CRITICAL call to action



WE need your immediate help-------- Please Take action not later than April 29



Background:

In 2012, through a collaborative effort involving the RAF, the USFS/USDA published a new Planning Rule to develop, revise and amend FS land management plans. This rule will replace the previous one written in the 1980s and will be the planning “Bible” for the next 20-25 years. Through a collaborative process, the RAF and others were able to interject recreational aviation and the importance of recognizing airstrips as a valid part of USFS infrastructure into the 2012 Planning Rule.



Recently, the USFS released and is seeking public comment on the proposed 2012 Planning Rule Directives , a key set of agency guidance documents that will direct implementation of the 2012 Planning Rule. The proposed Directives contain agency policies that serve as the primary basis for internal forest planning management.



The Directives are critical to recreational aviation and USFS airfields since they provide procedures and techniques to be used by resource specialists and planning staff engaged in land management planning for the national forests and grasslands. If we can get the proposed Directives to recognize aviation interests, the document will influence USFS planners and managers actions concerning airstrips for the next 20 years or more; and therefore, will positively impact the destiny of those airstrips.



In the past, neither the old Planning Rule nor the old Directives held any direct references to USFS airstrips. Roads, trails, historic sites, and many other common infrastructure classifications were discussed in detail, but not airstrips.



Regrettably, the USFS draft of the new Directives is also devoid of references to recreational aviation or airstrips. The new Directives will control planning on USFS lands for many years; therefore, we need your help to correct these critical omissions in the proposed Directives.



Prior to April 29th, The RAF is asking you to please submit your comments and ideas concerning the proposed Directives via both email, and the U.S. Postal System mail:



USFS DIRECTIVES PUBLIC COMMENT EMAIL LINK



Next, snail mail a copy of your comments to:

USDA/FS Planning Directives Comments

P.O. Box 40088

Portland, OR 97240



Note: you can copy and paste into and out of the comments section of the USFS email page.



Here are some key points you can build on while drafting your comments concerning the proposed Directives:



Ø USFS airstrips are an important recreational and operational part of the USFS infrastructure. Please ask the FS to change all instances in the Directives where “trails and roads” are referenced, to read “trails, roads, and airstrips”.



Ø Some airstrips (built on natural meadows) predate historical trails and roads. Therefore, some existing airstrips may also be historical sites; however, no mention of this possibility is made in the proposed Directives. Historic trails, roads, and buildings are discussed in detail, but not airfields. Please ask the FS to revise the proposed Directives to direct planners to explore whether any airstrips in their planning area may have historical significance.



Ø In many places throughout the proposed document, various forms of recreation are listed and discussed. The 2012 Planning Rule mentions aviation as a valid form of recreation. However, the proposed Directives do not mention aviation activities. Please ask the FS to include aviation as a recreational activity in the Directives wherever recreational activities are listed and discussed.



Ø Many USFS airstrips are maintained through joint efforts of the USFS and volunteer groups, (including the RAF). Please ask the FS to revise the proposed Directives to include guidance for planners on the importance of coordinating with volunteer groups within their planning area, when gathering information on airstrips.



Ø The Chief of the USFS, the heads of other agencies such as the BLM, and the U.S. Congress, have all published comments on the significance of airstrips as part of an overall balanced public lands transportation system. Unfortunately, not all USFS planners and managers are familiar with the airstrips within their planning area. Please ask the FS to place greater emphasis on their airstrip infrastructure through direct inclusion of airstrip guidance and instructions to planners in the proposed Directives.



Ø The FS owns the airstrips; it makes little sense for them to be excluded from the Directives. Airstrips need to be an integral part of forest plans. Including them in the Assessment, Land Management, Monitoring, and Wilderness Evaluation Chapters of the Directives puts airstrips on the same planning level as roads, trails, and historical sites when forest plans are being constructed or revised. Please ask the FS to revise Chapters 10, 20, 30, and 70 to place airstrips and recreational aviation on the same planning footing as other listed infrastructure and recreational activities.



Ø Forrest Planners who may not have detailed knowledge of airstrips within their planning area need to be given instructions on where that information can be found. The proposed Directives clearly outlines sources of information when accessing and planning for roads, trails, historic sites, utility corridors, and etc. Airstrips need the same considerations so planners will fully understand airfield planning requirements and issues. Please ask the FS to include sources of information on airstrips to planners by including sources of information about airfields in the proposed Directives.



Ø A revolution is coming within the next 10 years involving inexpensive to purchase, operate, and maintain electric powered airplanes. When this happens, recreational aviation pressures on USFS airstrips will increase. The Directives must provide planners the tools to recognize, assess, and adapt to this increasing demand. Adopting the proposed directives in their current form will not accomplish this task. Please ask the FS to revise the proposed directives to include recreational aviation and airstrips in order to encompass potential future demand on airstrips.



Hints to make your comments effective:

When you write your comments, put them in your own words. Form letters and mass emails that are all the same are usually not counted as individual responses.


Be courteous and give constructive comments. FS planners have worked hard to make the proposed Directives the best they can. We’re helping them see items they have overlooked.


Be sure to email your comments ASAP and for certain, no later than April 29, 2013.


To date, the RAF has been very impressed by the collaborative process the USFS/USDA has put together to get this tough job done. There are a lot of dedicated FS folks out there who just don’t think about aviation when planning. They’ve never been required to do so; and, they may be ignorant of the aviation thing we do. Our purpose is to change that situation so every time a plan is built or revised, any airstrips in that area will be included and provided for within that plan. That’s not happening now; but, with your help, we can change that situation.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in the RAF mission. Taking a few minutes now to assure recreational aviation's inclusion within the USFS Directives is a quick and easy investment for you; but, it will yield long term rewards for your children and grandchildren who may someday wish to enjoy the same aviation privileges you have. Helping now goes a long way towards protecting, preserving, and creating recreational airstrips on USFS lands. Those are the reasons you joined the RAF; so, let’s get this done.



Questions?



Contact Bob Kay: [email protected] or Ron Normandeau: [email protected]



Recreational Aviation Foundation
1711 West College Street
Bozeman, MT 59715-4913
United States
406-582-1RAF (406-582-1723)
theraf.org

Join Team RAF!

RAF Mission:
“Keeping the legacy of recreational aviation strong by preserving, maintaining and creating public use recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide”

Done, this date

Sorry, but I don't see how to access the USFS email link?

Done, via snail mail.

By all means, yes, send letters!

As for this

soyAnarchisto wrote:RAF: A revolution is coming within the next 10 years involving inexpensive to purchase, operate, and maintain electric powered airplanes.

They must have left out a "0." Sheesh, I can't even put electronic ignition on the 206. I guess the FAA has decided to close up shop.

CAVU

macktruckfarm wrote:Sorry, but I don't see how to access the USFS email link?

Here it is: http://theraf.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=805&qid=196692

Done. (And a donation sent to the RAF.)

Done.

Just saw it today on the RAF site. Will act on it.
HC

I will draft my email today.

Another suggestion: Check your spelling and sentence construction. While such things don't mean a lot to some people, for others poor spelling and language errors are real turn-offs. It would be a shame for good comments to be tossed aside, because the reader's reaction was "this guy sounds like an ignoramus".

Cary

I am sure some of you have seen this, but if not it is worth looking at and commenting on. its worth reading the entire thing.


RAF Call to Action

The RAF needs your help, please take action before April 29



Background: In 2012, through a collaborative effort involving the RAF, the U.S. Forest Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture published a new planning rule to develop, revise and amend forest service land management plans. This rule will replace the previous one written in the 1980s and will be the planning “Bible” for the next 20-25 years. The RAF, and others, were able to interject recreational aviation and the importance of recognizing airstrips as a valid part of USFS infrastructure into the 2012 planning rule.



Recently, the USFS released, and is now seeking public comment on, the proposed 2012 Planning Rule Directives, a key set of agency guidance documents that will direct implementation of the 2012 Planning Rule. The proposed directives contain agency policies that serve as the basis for internal forest planning management.



These directives are critical to recreational aviation and USFS airfields since they provide procedures and techniques to be used by resource specialists and planning staff in land management planning for the national forests and grasslands. If we can get the proposed directives to recognize aviation interests, the document will influence USFS planners and managers actions concerning airstrips for the next 20 years or more, and therefore, positively affect the fate of those airstrips.



In the past, neither the old planning rule or the old directives held any direct references to USFS airstrips. Roads, trails, historic sites, and many other common infrastructure classifications were discussed in detail, but not airstrips.

Regrettably, the USFS draft of the new directives is also devoid of references to recreational aviation or airstrips. The new directives will control planning on USFS lands for many years; therefore, we need your help to correct these critical omissions.



The RAF is asking concerned pilots and friends of aviation to submit comments and ideas concerning the proposed directives, by e-mail and the U.S. mail before the deadline, April 29.



Click here for the USFS directives public comment webpage: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/P ... ject=30641



Also, send a copy of your comments by mail to:



USDA/FS Planning Directives Comments

P.O. Box 40088

Portland, OR 97240



Some key points to use as a guide while drafting your comments

USFS airstrips are an important recreational and operational part of the USFS infrastructure. Ask the USFS to change all instances in the directives where “trails and roads” are referenced to read “trails, roads and airstrips."
Some airstrips predate historic trails and roads, therefore, some may also be historic sites. However, no mention of this possibility is made in the proposed directives. Historic trails, roads and buildings are discussed in detail, but not airfields. Ask the USFS to revise the proposed directives to direct planners to explore whether any airfields in their planning area may have historical significance.
Throughout the proposed document, various forms of recreation are listed and discussed. The 2012 Planning Rule mentions aviation as a valid form of recreation. However, the proposed directives do not mention aviation activities. Ask the USFS to include aviation as a recreational activity in the directives wherever recreational activities are listed.
Many USFS airstrips are maintained through joint efforts of the USFS and volunteer groups, including the RAF. Ask the USFS to revise the proposed directives to include guidance on the importance of coordinating with volunteer groups when gathering information about airstrips.
The chief of the USFS, leaders of other agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Congress have all published comments on the significance of airstrips as part of an overall balanced public lands transportation system. Unfortunately, not all USFS planners and managers are familiar with the airstrips within their area. Ask the USFS to place greater emphasis on their airstrip infrastructure through direct inclusion of airstrip guidance to planners in the proposed directives.
The forest service owns the airstrips; it makes little sense for them to be excluded from the directives. Airstrips need to be an integral part of forest plans. Including them in the Assessment, Land Management, Monitoring, and Wilderness Evaluation Chapters of the directives puts airstrips on the same planning level as roads, trails and historic sites when forest plans are being developed or revised. Ask the USFS to revise Chapters 10, 20, 30 and 70 to place airstrips and recreational aviation on the same footing as other infrastructure and recreational activities.
Forest planners, who may not have detailed knowledge of airstrips within their planning area, need to be given instructions on where to find that information. The proposed directives clearly lists sources of information when accessing and planning for roads, trails, historic sites, utility corridors, etc. Airstrips need the same consideration so planners will fully understand airfield planning requirements and issues. Ask the USFS to include sources of information about airstrips to planners in the proposed directives.
A revolution is coming within the next 10 years involving electric powered airplanes which are inexpensive to buy, operate and maintain. When this happens, recreational aviation pressures on USFS airstrips will increase. The directives must provide planners the tools to recognize, assess and adapt to this increasing demand. Adopting the proposed directives in their current form will not accomplish this task. Ask the USFS to revise the proposed directives to include recreational aviation and airstrips in order to encompass potential future demand on airstrips.


Hints to make your comments effective

When you write your comments, put them in your own words. Form letters and mass e-mails are usually not counted as individual responses. Be courteous and give constructive comments. Forest Service planners have worked hard to make the proposed directives the best they can be. We’re helping them to see items they overlooked.
To date, the RAF has been impressed by the collaborative process the USFS/USDA have used to get this job done. There are a lot of dedicated USFS staff who just don’t think about aviation when planning. They’ve never needed to do so and they may be ignorant of the aviation thing we do.
Our purpose is to change that situation so that every time a plan is made or revised, airstrips will be included in that plan. That’s not happening now. With your help, we can change that situation.


Thank you for your support and participation in the RAF mission. Taking a few minutes now to ensure recreational aviation's inclusion in the USFS directives is a quick and easy investment for you, but it will yield long-term rewards for your children and grandchildren, who may wish to enjoy the aviation privileges you have. Helping now goes a long way toward protecting, preserving and creating recreational airstrips on USFS lands. Those are the reasons you joined the RAF, so let’s get this done. Be sure to e-mail, and mail, your comments as soon as possible, and no later than April 29.

Done. Encourage all to follow suit

Just sent my email.

Cary

Done - email sent and letter mailed...

Sent e-mail last night and letter this morning.

For those who are procrastinating, time is running out.

I just looked at this. I will try to get email done tomorrow and post something Monday, if that is not too late. I flew with Dave Trujillo in the New Mexico Army National Guard at Santa Fe. He was Forest Engineer for the San Pedro National Forest in the eighties. He was from Espanola, where there were two Dave Trujillos. The last time I tried to contact him, he was no longer there. I will try to get information through the Guard. He was a good pilot and a good friend. What does RAF stand for?

Recreational Aviation Foundation - great group - working to develop and preserve our backcountry aviation opportunities. Have a look:

http://www.theraf.org/

Bump - today's the last day. Please post and snail mail comments if you can to the link above.