Chicken Strip

[wtxdragger]

I found this on the Husky Forum posted by FLHusky.

It’s time to stand up and be counted as a Backcountry Pilot. Death Valley National Park has begun a major planning process for the Saline Valley area. This planning area includes the famous Chicken Strip located next to the Saline Valley Hot Springs. The planning process has begun with a “scoping period” during which the public is encouraged to participate and voice their concerns about what they believe the final plan should include. We, the public, have until August 6, 2012, to make ourselves heard. Three public meetings have been held in May and the Recreational Aviation Foundation was at every meeting supporting our use of this airstrip. It’s our turn to do something in support of ourselves. The ONLY three ways we can now be heard are:<br />
1. Log onto the Death Valley National Park web site and comment at:<br />
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?documentID=47178<br />
2. Write a comment or letter to:<br />
ATTN: Saline Valley Management Plan<br />
Superintendent,<br />
Death Valley National Park<br />
P.O. Box 579<br />
Death Valley, CA 92328<br />
<br />
3. Send an e-mail to:<br />
DEVA_Planning@nps.gov<br />
<br />
What we need is a high VOLUME of brief, articulate comments to make it clear that the flying community is VERY serious about keeping the Chicken Strip open. But do not go off half-cocked. This is a discussion, not a fight. What will help us the most in this effort is intelligent and thoughtful comments as to the safety and capability of the flying community. Yelling will not be heard. Intelligent conversation and logic will be. The RAF has a proven record using this method and it works.<br />
<br />
Pilots are the most highly trained and skilled of all the users of public lands. Aircraft provide access to the hot springs with no impact on the land. <br />
<br />
Please make a point of commenting and making sure your fellow pilots have commented before the window closes on August 6, 2012.<br />
Blind copy your comments to the RAF at: contact@theraf.org.<br />
If you have any questions, contact RAF CA Liaison Rick Lach: rlach@theraf.org.


Mercifully Free From the Ravages of Intelligence

[M6RV6]

Received this from the RAF

The Recreational Aviation Foundation needs your help. Here is the issue at hand:



The National Park Service has begun the process to develop a new management plan for the Saline Valley Warm Springs area of Death Valley National Park (DVNP). This area includes the famous hot springs next to which is the Chicken Strip, providing aircraft access to the area The only other means of reaching this remote area of DVNP is by way of a rough forty mile two track road at ten miles per hour, suitable for only high clearance 4X4 vehicles.



The planning process is in the initial stage known as the “scoping process”. This is the time when the planners want to hear from the public in regard to what issues are important to the public sector. This is where you come in. The deadline for comments is August 6, 2012.



The RAF currently has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DVNP to maintain the three airstrips within the Park. But that will not mean anything if Chicken Strip is not included in the final management plan. It is imperative that the park planners hear from the pilot community that aviators desire to see continued access to the area by private aircraft. Even if you never intend to use Chicken Strip, it will be to your advantage to voice your support of the airstrip.



Here is what you need to do:

1) Send a letter and an email to the DVNP planners (see addresses below).

2) Use some of following points in your own words and writing style (add other points as you see fit based on your experiences):

General:

a) Pilots are the most highly trained and regulated of any public lands user group.

b) Airstrips transcend the need for roads and trails.

c) Airstrips serve as internal trailheads.

Specific to Chicken Strip:

a) Aircraft access to the Saline Valley Hot Springs has a long history of use.

b) Aircraft access causes no disturbance to the land, unlike terrestrial means of reaching the area.

c) Maintenance of the airstrip is by pilot volunteers under the RAF/DVNP MOU.

d) The airstrip is safe to use. It has no obstructions, the low field elevation enhances aircraft performance and the slope aids uphill deceleration and enhances acceleration on takeoff.

e) The occasional noise from a departing aircraft is minor compared to the military jets training in the area.

f) Aircraft allow access to those visitors who are, for various reasons, unable to endure the long arduous overland journey.

g) Pilots who have traveled a great distance to DVNP would probably be unable to rent a suitable vehicle to reach Saline Valley Warm Springs.



If you have been to Chicken Strip, relate that experience and why you personally go there. Mention that you appreciate having this means of accessing this area of public land. If you have never had complaints from other visitors, mention that.



1. Log onto the Death Valley National Park web site and comment at:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cf ... ntID=47178

2. Write a comment or letter to:

ATTN: Saline Valley Management Plan

Superintendent,

Death Valley National Park

P.O. Box 579

Death Valley, CA 92328



3. Send an e-mail to:

DEVA_Planning@nps.gov



Blind copy your comments to: contact@theraf.org.



Remember, the deadline for comments is August 6, 2012. To be effective in this planning process, the aviation community must have a strong voice.

GT

[OregonMaule]

Lets all write on paper a letter to the NPS. Get er done

[wtxdragger]

I received mine in an email today also.

Sorry for the partial post.


Mercifully Free From the Ravages of Intelligence

[pacerpilot]

Ok you BCP’ers, now is the time to jump in and be counted. The national Park Service is very standoffish about the Chicken Strip and we, the Pilot community have to show them we are very serious about keeping the Chicken Strip open without restrictions as it is now. There are many groups commenting during this public comment period and we all know some are extreme and would like nothing more than to see the strip closed. We the pilot community and especially us, BCP pilots, must be the largest commenting group the NPS here from. When all the dust settles on Aug-7-2012 and the NPS start reading and counting we need to have the most comments in the pile.

Please comment and ask your friends to comment today.


Rick

[172heavy]

We have a dead line of Aug 6 2012 for comments on the Chicken Strip, if we are not heard and the NPS decides to close it. It is very unlikely that we will ever get it back. So please write a letter and make comments on the web site with your support of the Chicken Strip.

[soyAnarchisto]

I already put my comments on the web site. I'll write a hand written letter - but I've not used a pen in so long I'm not sure they would be able to read it. Maybe I'll dictate something to my 6 year old and let him ink it for me.

[172heavy]

I already put my comments on the web site. I'll write a hand written letter - but I've not used a pen in so long I'm not sure they would be able to read it. Maybe I'll dictate something to my 6 year old and let him ink it for me.

Like wise

[172heavy]

If you haven't please do. Just trying to keep it on the front page

[ETAV8R]

I posted about this in early June. There have already been three meetings held in different parts of CA and it was noted that there few in attendance.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10275

[Glidergeek]

Bump need to keep this going

[pacerpilot]

Please Comment NOW

The comment period closed next Monday AUGUST 6, 2012. We need all the support we can get.


Rick

[Titus577]

I Submitted some comments last week.

[pacerpilot]

Thanks "Titus557"

[58Skylane]

Finally submitted my comment.

[pacerpilot]

Thanks "PAT"


Rick

[172heavy]

You know, under the concerns about the Chicken Strip, A larger tie down area, a semi developed camping area and a better trail or trails, upper and lower would be nice to add under comments.

[robw56]

You know, under the concerns about the Chicken Strip, A larger tie down area, a semi developed camping area and a better trail or trails, upper and lower would be nice to add under comments.

Don't forget wifi and showers...

[Grassstrippilot]

Submitted mine a few weeks ago.

Rob, that was funny!

[robw56]

Comment submitted!