The Recreational Aviation Foundation has put out a call to action, asking pilots to submit comments to help open access to 10 Utah backcountry airstrips for general aviation pilots.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding 10 Moab-Monticello backcountry airstrips:
- Nokai Dome
- Big Flat
- Piute Canyon
- Potato Ridge
- Playa
- Red Canyon
- Spring Canyon
- Castle Creek
- Steer Ridge West
- Wee Hope Mine.
Pilot comments will help open access to the airstrips, according to RAF officials. Association officials ask pilots to state in their own words why they support access to the backcountry airstrips, but they offer a few talking points:
- Thank the BLM for its evaluation and for approving the airstrips.
- Note that the existing airstrips have been in use for as many as 70 years and have not attracted public attention or disturbed other recreational users. They will create no additional impact to public lands.
- Most of the airstrips are adjacent to roads designated for motorized use. One is next to a paved highway. Aircraft impact to sight and sound is considerably less than other motorized use. Aircraft noise is infrequent and extremely temporary.
- Once parked, pilots and passengers are no different from backpackers and hikers. Aircraft have no driving wheels and create minimal impact to surface area.
- Peaceful solitude and enjoyment of the remote Utah backcountry is a primary motivation for pilots to seek these 10 airstrips.
Comments must be submitted by Sept. 3, 2026.
You can submit your comments here.
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