RAF AWARDS GRANT FOR MOAB AIRSTRIPS CULTURAL STUDY

Five Moab area airstrips are located within a short hike or bike from spectacular red-rock canyons and mountains, and two are suitable for pilots to practice backcountry landings without disturbing other recreational users, RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig reports. “All five are excellent airstrips for camping under the dark Utah skies,” she added. But none of these five are recognized by the BLM. She was awarded an RAF grant to pay half the cost of the required Cultural Surveys; the other half was generously paid for by an RAF Supporter. Lessig’s hope is that completing these surveys will expedite the BLM’s process toward the NEPA Environmental Assessment stage, with the eventual goal to list each airstrip within the final Travel Management Plan, ensuring their future.

Lessig has been working with the BLM Moab office for several years to get approval and says, “The BLM Moab office has been a friendly supporter of the Utah backcountry airstrips,” however they are understaffed, and their archeologists are backlogged with oil and gas projects. “Without this help, it might be years before the BLM archaeologists can perform the required cultural surveys,” she said.

“Showing good faith by the RAF exerting some effort, contributing toward the cost of the cultural surveys, and doing what it takes to make it easier for the BLM to prepare the required NEPA EA, will go a long way toward building a strong working relationship with the BLM, which is priceless,” Lessig added.

Submitted on July 15, 2025