52°F
weather icon Clear

Change could be coming to Saline Valley’s airfield

Death Valley National Park’s Chicken Strip is famous among recreational pilots for its dramatic desert scenery and the challenges it poses to small plane pilots, the park officials said.

However, the landing strip’s ongoing use is a non-enforced violation of National Park Service regulations. Now the Park Service seeks public input on a proposed regulation that would change that, officially sanctioning use of the airstrip in Saline Valley.

The Saline Valley Warm Springs Airfield, commonly known as the Chicken Strip, is an unpaved landing strip near Saline Valley Warm Springs that has been in use for decades.

However, when the area was added to Death Valley National Park in 1994, landing at the Chicken Strip became illegal by default regulations restricting the operation of aircraft on Park Service lands, Death Valley National Park said in its news release.

“This proposed special regulation is really a deregulation,” explained Mike Reynolds, Death Valley National Park Superintendent. “It would remove any question about the legality of the airfield’s use by visitors. We believe this is a common sense approach that corrects a regulatory technicality.”

The Chicken Strip has been used by an average of 88 planes per year recently. Some pilots use it to access the nearby Warm Springs. Others are drawn by the challenge of the airstrip itself.

Volunteers with the Recreation Aviation Foundation maintain the airstrip at no cost to the taxpayers.

“The (Recreation Aviation Foundation) and the (National Park Service) have been successfully partnering for nearly ten years to make access to [the Chicken Strip] safe and available to the aviation community,” Recreation Aviation Foundation) board chairman John McKenna said.

The National Park Service seeks public input on whether the Chicken Strip should be a legal airstrip. Public comments are due by Nov. 19.

Comments should reference Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1024-AE48, and will only be accepted online at regulations.gov or by mail to Death Valley National Park, P.O. Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328.

Comments received may be posted without change to regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.