5 replies to this topic

[K6ON]

Airports and State Advocacy

Pilots urged to save Death Valley's Chicken Strip

By John Kounis

Pilots now have an opportunity to help the Recreational Aviation Foundation keep a valuable California airstrip open to the public. 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. The plan includes the Chicken Strip, an uncharted 1,350-foot dirt strip that provides fly-in access to the warm springs. (The only other access to this remote area is via a rough, 40-mile dirt road that takes three to four hours to navigate, and is only suitable for four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles.)

This planning process will determine whether the Chicken Strip remains open, and pilots now have the opportunity to make their voices heard. The National Park Service is soliciting comments from the public as part of their scoping process—comments that will ultimately be used to decide the future of the Chicken Strip. AOPA submitted comments for the third time in nine years in support of preserving aviation access at the airstrip; the association encourages pilots who value backcountry flying to do the same.

Comments in support of the strip should mention that aircraft have a lower impact on the land than vehicles, that pilot volunteers maintain the airstrip at no cost to the National Park Service, and that aircraft provide access to visitors who cannot make the long road trip to the warm springs. For more information, including additional talking points to use in support of the airstrip, visit the Recreational Aviation Foundation’s website.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation currently has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Death Valley National Park to maintain the three airstrips within the Park, including the Chicken Strip. But the final management plan could supersede that MOU if the park decides to close the strip. It is imperative that park planners hear from the pilot community and understand that aviators desire continued access to the area by private aircraft. Even if you never intend to use the Chicken Strip, it will help the pilot community to voice your support of the airstrip.

Pilots can submit comments by Aug. 6 online or by mail to: ATTN: Saline Valley Management Plan Superintendent, Death Valley National Park, P.O. Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328.

[chnlisle]

Bob
I'm not positive but I think you need a tail dragger.

[K6ON]

Bob
I'm not positive but I think you need a tail dragger.

Jay, I've never flown into Saline. I have a tail dragger rating but haven't flown one it in years.

Anyone that want's to keep Chicken Strip open should send comments. I've already done so.

[Desert Rancher]

Also, FYI - there is a forum that is dedicated to the springs.

http://forum.salinepreservation.org/

I have been a visitor since the late '70's, but not so much recently. Thanks to the "desert protection act" back in the mid 90's, it's just gotten too popular and less fun.

~DR

[Skeeter]

Thats a small airstrip! I hope that they keep it, nothing like a little "bush" flying in the lower 48!

[Cort]

I will forward this on to my fellow sailplane pilots up and down the Sierra. This is one that is used from time to time as a save....definitely better to land out on an "improved" airstrip than in something you know nothing about.

Cort