One of the most challenging aspects of creating aviation-friendly remote areas is balancing land management and conservation with the recreational community. It helps when the interests can work together to lay down some rules.
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) knows this only too well and announced a renewal of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The RAF, based in Bozeman, Montana, is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Formed in 2003, its continuing mission is to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access.
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According to RAF chairman John McKenna, the renewal establishes a framework of cooperation between the two entities.
“It is a huge stride toward fulfilling the RAF mission and ensuring our continued successful cooperation with this major federal land manager,” said McKenna, adding that the MOU, signed February 26, was “years in the making.”
Purpose of the MOU
The MOU is a document that outlines RAF/BLM collaboration to preserve, maintain, and improve existing backcountry airstrips on BLM-managed lands. The MOU documents the RAF and BLM’s mutual efforts to support safe and responsible recreational aviation.
These airstrips are “unimproved,” and often RAF volunteers visit the sites before the beginning of peak flying season to make sure they are safe to use. Many times these flat spots in the backcountry are damaged by flooding, four-wheel vehicle drivers, and snowmobile riders who may not realize the ground they are tearing up is a runway.
“This renewed MOU marks an exciting step forward in our ongoing collaboration,” said Cory Roegner, BLM deputy division chief of recreation and visitor services. “We look forward to the continued great work we’ll accomplish together.”
The original MOU goes back to 2015. RAF Arizona liaison Mark Spencer played a key role in its creation.
RAF state liaisons play a key role in forming the MOU, as they are involved in the planning stages to determine if aviation access might be affected and initiate the appropriate airstrip maintenance and improvement projects. This agreement is in effect for the next five years and is renewable upon mutual consent.