Re: Saline airport
Posted by flying squirrel on May 16, 2003 at 18:00:05:
In Reply to: Re: Saline airport posted by Permanent Tiller on May 12, 2003 at 10:05:18:
According to the Idaho Aviation Association http://www.flyidaho.org, it's officially closed. This, despite a letter agreement by the Dept. of Interior not to close any airstrip without consulting with state and local authorities and users. As near as I can tell, the EIS for DVNP said only that the Chicken Strip would be "evaluated"--not closed without notice, comment or public hearing.
The Chicken Strip is a great and low-impact way to visit a fabulous place. It's about the only backcountry flying experience left in California (after wilderness designation in the sierra closed several strips in the late '70s). It's hard to imagine justifications for closing the strip. It's not much of a noise source compared with ground vehicles and military overflights. It's hardly visible from the springs or the road. It's also the only landing site available in the whole valley for emergencies and evacuations, and it's a great trailhead. Where will the ranger's Cessna 182 land now?
I've sent my letters already. Hope someone reads them.