Public comment on environmental assessment!

We have only until March 2, 2009 to respond.

This from the Idaho Aeronautics Administrator, John Dethomas:
"The enclosed documents invite public comment for the environmental assessment of our request to reopen Reed Ranch as a public airstrip under State operation. Comments must be received before 2 March 2009. The Division of Aeronautics has Transportation Board approval to obtain a use permit for this airstrip. I'm convinced that Reed Ranch will be a valuable asset for Idaho pilots in the future. Positive public comment for reopening the field will be important. I would urge all of you to relay this message to anyone who might be in favor and to comment to the USFS as outlined in the first enclosure."

More information is available in the official documents at shortfield.com

Contact John Dethomas with any questions:
John ("JV") DeThomas
Administrator, Division of Aeronautics
Idaho Transportation Department
3483 Rickenbacker Street
Boise, Idaho 83705
(208) 334-8788

Krassel USFS airstrip and Reed Ranch are the only two airstrips on the South Fork of the Salmon. I've overflown them and driven past them, but never landed at either. However, Reed Ranch is a third longer, and to me the terrain looks easier than at Krassel. This would be a most welcome addition.

I sent my comments in favor of opening for public use. I encourage others to do the same!

I have driven past Reed Ranch many times and thought how much fun it would be to land there. Might make a good fly-in destination sometime. Thanks for keeping an eye on these airstrips Chris, I think you're doing them a lot of good. I'll send on some comments in favor of it opening too.

Don't land at Reed Ranch until it is officially opened. I'm passing this info on...original message below:

The US Forest Service has put out a press release indicating
that the State will get a special use permit to open Reed Ranch
airstrip. This has been picked up by several news organizations. What
has not been made clear is that there is a 45 day appeal period to the
USFS decision until the State can get a use permit, probably sometime
late June or July of this year. I'm afraid someone may mistake the news
and try to land at Reed before we get permission and make the necessary
improvements. This would be embarrassing to our Idaho aviation
community. Maybe you could put out one of your IAA NOTAMS to let
everyone know that the field is still not open to the public and that
the Aeronautics Division will put out public word when it is open.
R
JV DeThomas

John V. ("JV") DeThomas
Administrator, Idaho Division of Aeronautics
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, Idaho 83707
(208) 334-8788