Recreational Aviation Foundation Issues Call To Preserve Utah Airstrips

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed closing 16 of 18 airstrips within Utah's Bears Ears National Monument (BENM), allowing continued use of only two.
  • The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) opposes these proposed closures, arguing for the preservation of all 18 airstrips due to their decades-long history of recreational use.
  • The RAF is urging pilots to submit comments by June 11, 2024, advocating for the continued access and evaluation of the merits of each airstrip before any closures are implemented.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) issued a call to action requesting pilots submit feedback on a proposal from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the closure of 16 airstrips in Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument (BENM).

According to the RAF, the Bureau of Land Management’s plan would restrict aircraft operations to only the Bluff Airport and Fry Canyon Airstrip—effectively closing the other 16 airstrips within the BENM pending the development of an implementation-level travel plan by the BLM.

The RAF is urging pilots to submit positive comments on preserving these “recreational assets” noting that “all 18 of the airstrips have existed and have been in use for the past 40-70 years” and that none of them should be closed or banned without evaluating the merits of each.

The deadline to submit comments is June 11, 2024.

Amelia Walsh

Amelia Walsh is a private pilot who enjoys flying her family’s Columbia 350. She is based in Colorado and loves all things outdoors including skiing, hiking, and camping.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE