I know much of Indiana isn't exactly backcountry, but I'm hoping you all will be able to lend some support to some fellow water-landers. (PS -- I just found BCP a few weeks back...great site.)


Subject: Call to Action—Indiana Seaplane Open Waters

To seaplane supporters everywhere:

The Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association (ISPA) is seeking help in with a state-wide seaplane issue that is heating up.

Last week the INDNR announced two upcoming hearings (Feb. 3 and 4), about a proposed change in status for five lakes—currently classified as private-use landing areas—to public-use.

Indiana, as you may know, is backwards when it comes to seaplanes. Unlike WI, IL, MI, MN, etc., where the rule is (more like) "open unless prohibited", the law in Indiana is "closed unless an approved seaplane landing area (base) exists." There are only four public-use seaplane bases out of over 750 lakes in the state.

Since 1998, Randy Strebig, a Maule-driver and SPA field director from Ft. Wayne, has singlehandedly fought for more access. Through his efforts and those of his organization, ISPA, over time, INDNR and INDOT have granted a pilot program of private-use landing areas on 17 lakes. You have to get Randy's permission to land, but at least they're somewhat open. (Admittedly, requiring permission from a private individual to land on public waters is a screwy situation.)

Now the INDNR has proposed changing the status of five lakes from private-use to public-use. This is a (small) step in the right direction. There is some concern that they might simultaneously try to restrict or close access, but we're hoping for a big show of support to avoid this.

There is a briefing paper on the ISPA website at:

http://www.seaplanepilots.org/inspa

How to help:

All seaplane supporters, worldwide:

__ Write a letter of support to INDNR, with a copy to
INDOT and our organization (see sample letter on the website)

__ Sign our online petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/inseapln

__ Send this message to other supporters

Supporters near NE Indiana (incl. , NW Ohio)

__ Attend and speak at one or both meetings scheduled by INDNR
for Feb. 3 and Feb 4.

__ Write a letter to the editor of your local paper

Thank you in advance for your support,

Steve Whitney
SPA # 018493
Webmaster, Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association

Cr@p! It's ".com" not ".org"...

As my friends on the Lake Amphibian Flyers Club have pointed out, I posted the address of our online petition wrong. (I re-edited the post...it should be OK now.)

If you haven't already, please take a minute and go to

http://www.petitiononline.com/inseapln

and sign in favor of increased access to Indiana lakes for seaplanes.

Then, visit http://www.seaplanepilots.org/inspa to find out more about the issue & how to help. We have until Feb. 3 (the first IN DNR hearing) to show as much support as possible.

Please pass the word to as many GA supporters as you can.

Thanks,

Steve Whitney

Quick update...

We're up to 350 signatures on our petition to open more Indiana lakes to seaplanes.

If you have a moment and haven't signed yet, please consider it:

http://www.petitiononline.com/inseapln

For other ways to help, visit http://www.seaplanepilots.org/inspa

Thanks,

Steve Whitney

[Press release from the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association, www.seaplanepilots.org/inspa]

February 4, 2009
For Immediate Release

Seaplane Access Unopposed at Public Meetings

Virtually no opposition seen to opening Indiana lakes to public use

Angola, IN – Despite adverse weather and one cancelled meeting, supporters of opening Indiana lakes to public use by seaplanes turned out to give public comments to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) and Department of Transportation (INDOT). The support was unanimous in favor of seaplanes.

The first scheduled meeting, cancelled at the last minute by the state due to bad weather, still brought out over twenty attendees who engaged in an informal discussion. The second, a day later, drew unanimous support from all speakers in favor of more seaplane access.

The first meeting, scheduled for Tuesday evening in Angola, IN was called off by INDNR hours earlier, when it became apparent that roads snarled by snowbound traffic and accidents would prevent state officials from attending. Representatives of the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association and the national Seaplane Pilots Association were still on hand, and met to informally chat with a group of nearly two dozen who arrived to find the meeting cancelled. Attendees came from five states, including Florida.

A rough show of hands indicated that approximately a third of the group were seaplane pilots, and another third were non-seaplane pilots who were in favor of the proposed change to open access to Indiana lakes. The remaining attendees were there to learn more about the proposal, without an opinion on it. No one expressed opposition to more seaplane access.

The public meetings were called by INDNR to seek public comment on a proposal to change the status of five lakes, currently available to seaplanes only on a private-use basis, to public-use status.

Indiana, unlike many other states, does not allow seaplane operations on a lake unless there is an established “seaplane base” (landing area) on the lake. In the entire state, there are only four existing public-use seaplane bases. States like Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota allow seaplanes on virtually any lake that has no local prohibition, totaling several thousand lakes.

For the past ten years, the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association (ISPA) has worked to establish a pilot program of private-use seaplane bases on seventeen lakes. Under the arrangement, seaplane users must request permission from the “airport manager”, to use the lake. No request has ever been denied, making the lakes effectively public-use in practice. The current proposal is to change the status of five of the largest of these lakes, Lake James, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wawasee, Lake Winona, and Lake Maxikuckee to public-use. The main outcome will not be to increase traffic significantly but to get rid of the private “middleman” needed to give permission to use what are otherwise public waters.

The second scheduled meeting tonight at DNR regional headquarters in Columbia City, IN, was an even more impressive display of support for the plan. Over twenty members of the public attended. A petition of over 500 signatures in favor of the change was presented, along with letters from local mayors, businesses and individuals. Every person who spoke was in favor of the proposal, many favoring going even farther.

“We commend you on this step, and suggest that you establish a partnership or task force with the seaplane community and other lake users to study ways that more lakes can be opened in the future,” said Randy Strebig, president of the ISPA. Mr. Strebig has led the effort to open more Indiana lakes for the past decade, sometimes almost singlehandedly.

Steve Whitney spoke on behalf of the Seaplane Pilots Association, offering SPA’s help in a joint task force. Mr. Whitney also pointed out that seaplanes have a better safety record than boats. “Over 16 years in the U.S., there were over 100,000 boating accidents. During the same period, there were less than 300 seaplane accidents. Of those, only three involved people outside the seaplane,” said Mr. Whitney. “The facts are clear: If safety is your only goal, you should open up all the lakes to seaplanes…and close them to boaters,” he joked.

Many people spoke against the imposition of any new restrictions, such as weekend bans, that might be imposed. “I am strongly in favor of opening these lakes,” said Paul Kreuter, a seaplane pilot from Lake Wawasee. “At the same time, I am strongly against any new restrictions.”

Mr. Whitney pointed out that the case had already been proven. “These lakes have been essentially open to anyone who wanted to land on them for over 10 years,” he said. “There have been no problems. It’s easy to impose new restrictions if there are problems in the future. It’s very difficult to remove them if they are already in place.”

The lack of opposition impressed Mr. Strebig. “If safety was truly a concern, there would be people here opposing this change. The meetings were well-publicized. The fact is, people like seaplanes on Indiana lakes. They are fun and interesting.”

Lt. Mark Farmer, sitting in for Maj. Felix Hensley of the INDNR, said that the rulemaking process would incorporate the input provided at the public meetings into any rules changes that are put forth. Mr. Adam Fackler of INDOT was also present. He said that—if the change was approved—INDOT would apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval for the changes. The FAA would likely require another airspace analysis for each lake, a process that would likely take months.

“We are very encouraged by tonight’s results,” said Mr. Strebig. “I think we may be on the verge of a significant change in how Indiana views and manages seaplanes. We need to keep pressing the issue and working cooperatively with the state and other lake users.”

- end -

[Deleted duplicate of prior post/press release.]

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition*. This was a major step in a good direction. We have a long way to go, but we're very encouraged.

Will keep you posted with new developments.

Steve Whitney

* -- It's still not too late to sign: www.petitiononline.com/inseapln

[From UltraflightRadio.com:]

Ultraflight Radio interviews: Randy Strebig, Indiana Seaplane Pilots Assn.

We talk with Randy Strebig, President of the Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association. He's been working to open more lakes for seaplanes in Indiana. Still, there are only four currently designated for public-use out of 750 in the state. He compares Indiana rules with other states in the region and talks about some of the things he has accomplished including getting an additional 17 lakes designated as "private-use" seaplane bases. Now access to those lakes may be at risk and he gives us the details. Indiana Seaplane Pilots Assn. (2/3/09)

Link to listen: http://www.ultraflightradio.com/impodcast/2009/02/03/ufr090203b.mp3