BLM PROPOSAL RETAINS USE OF BOULDER AIRSTRIP
RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig has been heavily involved in following and providing updates on Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) planning by the BLM. She submitted substantive comments on behalf of the RAF, and reports that the BLM released its final Resource Management Plan on August 30. The Boulder/New Home Bench airstrip will remain open to aircraft, “The result that we were hoping for,” Lessig said.
The 3,500-ft gravel Boulder airstrip lies at an elevation of 6,787 on a pine and juniper plateau near a primitive, dry camping area and trailhead. “It’s the most popular airstrip in the GSENM,” Lessig added.
The BLM received over 7,000 public comments, but did not specify how many were from pilots. Lessig added that this new GSENM RMP states that the BLM will consider additional airstrips in the future when they get to the planning stage of the Travel Management Plan. To view the RMP documents click here.
Many thanks to all the pilots and supporters who submitted public comments. “Your participation does make a difference.” Lessig said.
Submitted September 30, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray
Thank you Wendy for all your time and diligence following and clarifying the process for us. This is a big win. The camping at Boulder is wonderful, so thank you for helping preserve our ability to access it by air.
Wendy, Thank you for all of your work as Utah Liaison! We all very much appreciate your efforts, sharing of information and the great results.