A while back the Idaho Division of Aeronautics put out a call for suggestions on strips that could be pursued to get reopened. This last weekend I was up in the Cascade area and flew over this long closed strip, which still looks like it is in great shape. I'm guessing that there are still legal issues at play, but man! What a great addition this would make to the Idaho network! Below is from Shortfield.com. Anyone know if the state is still pursuing this one or any other info on it? Maybe something the RAF could pursue?



risg on 2009-03-24 18:06:44
THIS AIRSTRIP IS CLOSED AND IS LISTED FOR HISTORICAL AND EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY!
History:
In 1954, the Idaho Department of Aeronautics built an airstrip on land owned by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) along the Cascade Reservoir. A legal dispute regarding an overlying agricultural easement held by a private landowner closed the airstrip to public use in 1970. The land is now under new ownership. The Division of Aeronautics has been working with the BOR to re-open the airstrip for recreational purposes. The Board will be asked to approve proceeding with this recommendation. That involves resolving the payment issue for the needed National Environmental Policy Act and Environmental Assessment requirements, and then applying to the BOR for a long-term permit to open and manage the Cascade Reservoir airstrip. The airstrip would be operated under ITD’s management and would be included in ITD’s recreational airstrip system.

Last word I heard on this is that the plan for reopening the strip has been abandoned because of right of way issues with the adjacent landowner that could not be resolved. There is a state owned strip on the other side of cascade reservoir that has been reopened and appears to get used on a regular basis.

Which is that? The one by the marina? All I could find out about it was that it was private and prior permission was required.

It's a shame. This would be a great strip.

It was private the last I knew.
Never heard you could get permission.

Folks have called it sugar loaf - for that small island
Some call it
Cascade West or little cascade.

Have slid in at dusk back when only the first half was usable - LOTS of cow pies - lots of ground squirrel holes. Did not broadcast position reports other than passing Sugar loaf

For those new to this area this is NOT Donnelly (sp?)

Grassstrippilot wrote:Which is that? The one by the marina? All I could find out about it was that it was private and prior permission was required.

It's a shame. This would be a great strip.

That strip is owned by the group of home owners in that development, they also own that small marina. I know several of the owners and we have had a couple fly ins there over the last two years. If you would like I can put you in touch with some of the home owners/pilots there. Most of the home owners in that development don't fly and really don't care about the runway. Three homes have changed hands over the last couple years to pilots.

Thanks BM. I'll keep that in mind if the need arises to want to use it. We used Donnelly this last weekend as it was the closest to the family reunion.

I wonder if the BOR still owns the land the strip on. I'm guessing that's the case.

Grassstrippilot wrote:Thanks BM. I'll keep that in mind if the need arises to want to use it. We used Donnelly this last weekend as it was the closest to the family reunion.

I wonder if the BOR still owns the land the strip on. I'm guessing that's the case.

The strip is owned by the homeowners association. The BOR owns the shoreline though.

Great idea corey! was just there yesterday...donnelly...and some others to finish up my BFR with gary g. at loris place...dont think ive flown in that much weather/rain in a long time....!?
that strip u talk about looks pretty nice indeed.....

Bonanza Man wrote:

Grassstrippilot wrote:Thanks BM. I'll keep that in mind if the need arises to want to use it. We used Donnelly this last weekend as it was the closest to the family reunion.

I wonder if the BOR still owns the land the strip on. I'm guessing that's the case.

The strip is owned by the homeowners association. The BOR owns the shoreline though.

BM, I was referring to the strip in the original post, not the one by the marina on the west side with that last thought. Sorry for the confusion.

I tried to look up ownership real quick with not much luck. The north 1300' ish appear to be BOR land but the parcel the rest of the strip is on I couldn't determine ownership. There appears to be a house on that parcel so I'd assume it is private. Looks like it would be an awesome place to camp.

While daydreaming about a cabin in Idaho the other day, I came across this listing: http://www.idaho-realestate.com/962-THOMPSON-DR/Cascade/ID/ID-98567422/Listing

I'm pretty sure it's in the area you're talking about. Includes access to the airstrip and marina.

Edit: Whoops! Looks like we're talking about two different strips. This is the non-cow pie one.

whee wrote:I tried to look up ownership real quick with not much luck. The north 1300' ish appear to be BOR land but the parcel the rest of the strip is on I couldn't determine ownership. There appears to be a house on that parcel so I'd assume it is private. Looks like it would be an awesome place to camp.

There are a variety of owners with the bulk belonging to the rancher you see out there camping from time to time. The house has an easement insufficient for aviation access (although he works at an aviation related business in McCall). It's unlikely to reopen.