Photo Credit: Ben Carlson, Mineral Canyon, UT
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has announced the successful renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management, establishing a framework of cooperation between the two entities. “This renewal has been years in the making,” said RAF Chairman John McKenna, who signed the document on February 26. “It is a huge stride toward fulfilling the RAF mission and ensuring our continued successful cooperation with this major federal land manager,” he added.
The original MOU was negotiated in great part by RAF Arizona Liaison Mark Spencer, and was mutually signed by the RAF and BLM in February, 2015.
In brief, the MOU outlines BLM/RAF collaboration to preserve, maintain, and improve existing backcountry airstrips on BLM-managed lands, and mutual efforts to support safe and responsible recreational aviation.
According to Cory Roegner, Bureau of Land Management Deputy Division Chief, Recreation and Visitor Services, “This renewed MOU marks an exciting step forward in our ongoing collaboration, and we look forward to the continued great work we’ll accomplish together.”
Key persons in executing the MOU are RAF State Liaisons, who will be included in the early planning stages whenever aviation access might be affected, and to initiate appropriate airstrip maintenance and improvement projects. This agreement is in effect for the next five years and is renewable upon mutual consent.
