Comments must be submitted by Jan 6 2022
We need your help thru unique comments to help preserve some of our best airstrips. Please go to the following link to read a little about it and get links to either email, or submit a form directly to the BLM:

https://utahbackcountrypilots.org/news/Dingell_act

Please share this with everyone you know who has flown utah, or wants to. The BLM is revising the travel management plans, and we are trying to ensure that aviation is a part of that. There is pressure on them to restrict aviation, and close airstrips in and near the wilderness areas

Thanks!

30 (Thirty) airstrips ?!!

I have some catching up to do.

Formulating comments...

Wed 05 Jan edit: Comments submitted to BLM, receipt received.

Thanks, there are about 8 inside the wilderness and recreation area. These include Mexican Mountain and Hidden Splendor. Then the BLM is under pressure to close surrounding airstrips to try and keep aircraft noise out of the area. The remainder of the strips are in that category, and include Mineral Canyon and some other very scenic strips that are also a great basecamp for desert excursions.

What are some other ways to access these areas other than aircraft?

A point that I think is sometimes missed is that these areas should not be exclusive to able bodied, fit hikers. Access should be more “inclusive”. Disabled persons, families with children too young to hike in, elderly folks, folks without out sufficient free time, and folks whose physical fitness is less than ideal should not be denied the opportunity to visit these places for all they offer in wonder, education, revelation, and sense of spirituality, etc.

I have no immediate plans to fly the Utah back country, but I’ve overflown it several times. I’d like to do it someday, so I hope it remains open for the future.

I’m unlikely to comment because it’s not my country, therefore not my business, so feel free to plagiarize or build on my thoughts to create your own submission.

Pinecone wrote:What are some other ways to access these areas other than aircraft?

A point that I think is sometimes missed is that these areas should not be exclusive to able bodied, fit hikers. Access should be more “inclusive”. Disabled persons, families with children too young to hike in, elderly folks, folks without out sufficient free time, and folks whose physical fitness is less than ideal should not be denied the opportunity to visit these places for all they offer in wonder, education, revelation, and sense of spirituality, etc.

I have no immediate plans to fly the Utah back country, but I’ve overflown it several times. I’d like to do it someday, so I hope it remains open for the future.

I’m unlikely to comment because it’s not my country, therefore not my business, so feel free to plagiarize or build on my thoughts to create your own submission.

LIKE
LIKE
LIKE

Perfectly stated!


Kurt

Pinecone wrote:A point that I think is sometimes missed is that these areas should not be exclusive to able bodied, fit hikers. Access should be more “inclusive”. Disabled persons, families with children too young to hike in, elderly folks, folks without out sufficient free time, and folks whose physical fitness is less than ideal should not be denied the opportunity to visit these places for all they offer in wonder, education, revelation, and sense of spirituality, etc.

At first glance I agree with this, but then I thought about it a little more. The argument works for those of us who want to access by airplane (because, hey, airplanes) but the argument can also mean that there's simply nothing left in this world that's a reward for the intrepid adventurer. Put a pressurized observation deck on Mt Everest. Put a helipad on Half Dome.

So I don't necessarily agree but if that argument is good enough to keep airstrips open, I say use it.

A thing about remote airstrips. I do a lot of hiking and often, if I see any wildlife, it’s the butt of something that is scurrying away. It seems reasonable to say that flying in is basically the only way to access an area that doesn’t disturb anything on the ground, other than at that one point. Even a quiet hiker has to be creating some bit of disturbance.
Chris

I did write a letter to the BLM too.

I think I wrote mine a couple of months ago. I do fly to those areas… well I did before I started my build, and I will fly there a lot more when I have my BH completed

All,

submission counts on these proposals from the BLM are very low. Please take 5 minutes to comment tonight. Do one in your own words then copy and paste to the other links. 6 total.

Thank you!

Yes I'm in the RAF as many of you know. Please help save these strips for all of us!

JC

The following is an RAF Call To Action that was sent out in November. The deadline to submit comments to the BLM was extended to JANUARY 7, 2022. There is still time for you to help keep aviation as an allowed use in the Utah backcountry. Thanks for your help!

An Act of Congress named the Dingell Act was passed during the last administration. It designates one million, three hundred thousand acres into Wilderness status, the most restrictive level of public lands management. Motorized vehicles, including aircraft are typically NOT ALLOWED in Wilderness Areas. “We stand to lose access to beautiful, remote, and precious landscapes,” RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig said, adding, “Commenting on these is what pilots can do to further the RAF mission.”

“We understand each state’s pilot organization is engaged in this effort, but one thing we cannot do is stand idly by,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said. In the interest of adding our voice to retain aircraft access, RAF supporters are asked to act NOW.

Utah is one of the states included in this new Act.

To preserve established, current aviation access, we are asking you to provide respectful comments so our voice is heard. Otherwise, we stand to LOSE access to these places we have every right to enjoy, as low-impact users.

Here’s what to do: Use these talking points to write a message in your own words.

• Aviation should be included in the RMPs as an allowable use.

• Aircraft are the lowest impact form of access. They never go “off trail.”

• Airstrips are situated on natural land features – level, open meadows, or grasslands with little occurrence of soil disturbance or erosion. Little maintenance is required.

• Airstrips aid Search and Rescue, emergency response, and evacuation of the injured.

• Backcountry airstrips provide valuable access for firefighting.

• Airstrips transcend the need for roads and offer widely dispersed recreation activities.

• Aircraft noise occurs during a 30 second takeoff period. Research supports that noise from small aircraft is not an environmental issue and has no detrimental impact on wildlife.

• Airstrips are trailheads: Aviators are non-motorized recreationists, participating in hiking, fishing, camping and other low impact activities.

• Backcountry airstrips offer safety options when encountering mechanical problems or deteriorating weather conditions.

• Backcountry airstrips offer recreational access to those with limited mobility to enjoy our public lands, without requiring strenuous physical abilities.

• Backcountry aviation offers a positive economic impact.

• Historic airstrips were established long before the passage of the 1964 Wilderness Act.

Here’s where to send your comments:

The following links are for the 6 BLM projects in Utah that are currently in the public comment period:

*Green River Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River Segments 2008 Price and Moab Resource Management Plans Amendment - http://go.usa.gov/xFEf4

*John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area 2008 Vernal Resource Management Plan Amendment - http://go.usa.gov/xFEsD

*Jurassic National Monument 2008 Price Resource Management Plan Amendment - https://go.usa.gov/xFEGE

*McCoy Flat Mountain Bike Trail System 2008 Vernal Resource Management Plan Amendment - https://go.usa.gov/xFEAq

*San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, 14 Surrounding Wilderness Areas, and Adjacent Released Wilderness Study Areas RMP Amendment 2008 Price Resource Management Plan Amendment - https://go.usa.gov/xFERF

*Desolation Canyon, Turtle Canyon, and Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Areas and Adjacent Released Wilderness Study Areas 2008 Price Resource Management Plan Amendment- http://go.usa.gov/xFEyf

Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments on each the 6 BLM projects in Utah via mail, email, or through the BLM’s ePlanning website by JANUARY 7, 2022:

Thanks for the additional heads-up.

6 more comments submitted, relevant receipts received.

In this case our keyboards are a mighty tool to prevent closure of airstrips we value dearly (try getting permission clear an airstrip on public land today).

C'mon folks, this is an IMPORTANT project that does not even cost a $tamp.

Pound keys & click mice!

Thanks to all that are commenting, I sent mine in a few months ago it seems. This area is a fantastic backcountry plane playground, absolutely amazing scenery

I commented. Not sure my "title" is worth the value of the database storage but I hope it helps.

My name is Zane Jacobson, I am the owner and creative director for backcountrypilot.org, a website for backcountry flying in all its forms: wheels, skis, floats. We have a relatively large community of participating members and traffic that is easily 20 times that of our registered membership. I am giving this background to provide some context of my connection to aviation and insight into the personality of the interest group, as well as a view into backcountry flying access around the entire US.

Pilots as an interest group of some the most responsible and conscientious users of public lands that I can think of. We've spent as long as I can remember filling out comment forms like this to protect our access to airstrips located on BLM or Forest Service land. The personality profile of a pilot definitely falls into the organized and respectful category of user, and it's well aligned with the safety and prudent practices we are taught in flight training.

For 16 years I have seen photos posted from friends and site members who frequent Utah airstrips. Every one of them left the site cleaner than they found it. Many also adhere to the modern sentiment of "heavier out" to remove trash or refuse if found and carry it out on their aircraft.

Groups such as the Utah Backcountry Pilots and other similar regional groups are often the first to volunteer in stewardship efforts to protect these resources we value.

Since aircraft are not driven by wheels, they leave a very light footprint and often it is difficult to tell they have been present at all. And our activities once we arrive at a destination are low impact such as hiking or fishing.

The utility and speed aircraft provide in safety or rescue situations is invaluable.

I suppose listing every argument in favor of aircraft access would make for a very long email so I will save the reader some time and simply implore the BLM to maintain aircraft access to the Utah airstrips under review in the NOI.

Thank you for considering my vote for maintaining aircraft access in the area of eastern Utah under review.

Sincerely,
Zane Jacobson

I had already submitted the first one, but thanks for the heads up on the rest.

They don’t make it easy to find the right page for comments, though.

Chris

Thanks to everyone who submitted comments!

I believe a submission to main Dingell Act form linked on the UBCP page counts towards all, but it doesn't hurt to run duplicates.

Main page here
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ ... 501021/510

Done

Zzz wrote: I commented. Not sure my "title" is worth the value of the database storage but I hope it helps. .....

Excellent letter Zane.