172heavy wrote:Ok, now can I rally the troops for Monache Meadows, it’s my turn!

Please do! Anyone heard any updates re this from RAF or others?

tolipus wrote:

172heavy wrote:Ok, now can I rally the troops for Monache Meadows, it’s my turn!

Please do! Anyone heard any updates re this from RAF or others?

Rick and I are pretty much in the lead on this, we are RAF members, we have been stone walled on the rehabilitation project for Monache Meadows Forest service air strip by the powers at be, I / we need to step it up a notch with polite/respectful letters to all levels of forest service management concerning Monache Meadows Forest service air strip, I can see no viable reason for their denial to our offering of volunteers for rehabilitation of an abandon USFS airstrip. I will be out of the state next week, when I get back I will start a thread on this subject, till know we wanted to focus on saving the Chicken Strip. Now I need to gear up, we need to be heard!

It appears that with the existing airstrip in place and its history of use the best option would be to:

1. Determine who actually owns the existing airstrip. Everyone has a different story.

2. I suspect that there is zero chance that the USFS will ever allow that old strip to be repaired. It is actually the best option because of the river.

3. It has been years since I have even walked on the old airstrip. It is very hard to find.

As per recent road/park reports the Chicken Strip is washed out. Anyone out there recently?
Is this going to require another work party?

Desert Rat wrote:It appears that with the existing airstrip in place and its history of use the best option would be to:

1. Determine who actually owns the existing airstrip. Everyone has a different story.

2. I suspect that there is zero chance that the USFS will ever allow that old strip to be repaired. It is actually the best option because of the river.

3. It has been years since I have even walked on the old airstrip. It is very hard to find.

This is why I think the USFS should and will allow us to rehabilitate Monache Meadows USFS Airstrip.
As removed from the 2012 Appropriations bill.
Page 92
Back-country airstrips.—The Committee notes that backcountry
airstrips are an appropriate use of certain National Forest System
(NFS) lands that can provide enhanced access for a variety of legitimate
activities. The Committee encourages the Forest Service to
support, through cooperative relationships with pilots and other interested
user groups, the operation and maintenance of appropriate,
existing backcountry airstrips as part of a balanced, safe,
and efficient forest transportation system. The Committee urges
VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:11 Jul 20, 2011 Jkt 067352 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR151.XXX HR151 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS
Page 93
the Forest Service to evaluate whether it is appropriate to establish
additional backcountry airstrips on NFS lands as part of the land
management planning process and consistent with applicable Federal
Aviation Administration regulations (49 U.S.C. 1349). Further,
the Committee directs the Forest Service to provide within 90 days
upon enactment of this Act, an inventory of backcountry airstrips
presently under Forest Service jurisdiction; a detailed description,
including examples of the management, conservation, recreational,
and public safety and security benefits and uses of existing airstrips;
a description of any existing conflicts that presently hinder
or may hinder operational use of any such airstrips in the future;
a description of the primitive or wilderness values of the area in
the vicinity of the airstrips, including environmental and habitat
values that may be affected by the airstrip and its use; and an accounting
of operation and maintenance costs incurred by the Forest
Service in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 related to the present inventory
of backcountry airstrips.
The Committee includes language in the Title IV General Provisions
clarifying the role of forest roads in silvicultural operations
as it relates to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Note: Change in reporting time from 90 days to one year.
Back-country airstrips.—In place of the reporting
requirements in the House Report
for back-country airstrips, within one year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Forest Service is directed to provide the
Committees with a general assessment of
back-country airstrips on National Forest
System lands with recommendations for improving
their function as an important component
of the forest transportation and
recreation system.
Bill Language.—The bill includes language
allowing the transfer of funding from Capital
Improvement and Maintenance to the National
Forest System for the Integrated Resource
Restoration pilot.

Looks like a lot of aviation enthusiasts have responded,

Summary Report on the comments provided for the Saline Valley inquisition:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile...5FReport%2Epdf

This message rallies pilots to support keeping the Chicken Strip open in Death Valley National Park during its planning process, urging articulate and thoughtful comments to demonstrate community commitment to responsible aviation use.

ETAV8R wrote:Looks like a lot of aviation enthusiasts have responded,

Summary Report on the comments provided for the Saline Valley inquisition:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile...5FReport%2Epdf

I recall this discussion, but never saw closure. 13 years ago is a long time. What was the outcome and final resolution??

Chicken Strip is alive and well. Maintained by RAF.