[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15791-15792]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS AND RECREATIONAL AVIATION

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1473) supporting backcountry airstrips and 
recreational aviation, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1473

       Whereas recreational aviation represents a significant 
     portion of the Nation's aviation activity;
       Whereas recreational aviators utilize backcountry airstrips 
     as access points for a variety of activities;
       Whereas backcountry airstrips provide multiple benefits to 
     the general public, including search and rescue, fire 
     management, research, disaster relief, and wildlife 
     management benefits;
       Whereas recreational aviation helps State economies by 
     providing efficient access to recreational activities for 
     visitors;
       Whereas backcountry airstrips serve as emergency landing 
     sites for aircraft in the event of mechanical problems or 
     inclement weather; and
       Whereas backcountry airstrips provide for dispersed 
     recreational activity and act as internal trailheads within 
     backcountry areas: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips 
     located on the Nation's public lands and commends aviators 
     and the various private organizations that maintain these 
     airstrips for public use.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1473.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 1473, as amended, introduced by the 
gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), which expresses support for 
backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation.
  A backcountry airstrip is an unattended landing area in a location 
that provides access to remote, undeveloped rural areas by aircraft, 
usually airplanes. Backcountry airstrips provide benefits to the 
general public, including performing research and rescue operations, 
fire management, research and aerial mapping, and disaster relief. 
These airstrips allow tourists to access remote Federal lands that, in 
turn, helps to support local economies and small businesses. Also, in 
the event of mechanical problems or inclement weather, backcountry 
airstrips serve as emergency landing sites when airports are out of 
reach.

[[Page 15792]]

  H. Res. 1473 recognizes the value of recreational aviation and 
backcountry airstrips located on our Nation's public lands. In 
addition, it commends aviators and the various private organizations 
that maintain these airstrips for public use. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
author of the resolution currently before us, our colleague from the 
State of Montana, Representative Dennis Rehberg.
  Mr. REHBERG. Thank you, Mr. Petri.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to voice my support for House Resolution 1473, 
supporting recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips on America's 
public lands.
  This resolution is the fruit of a bipartisan effort. I could not have 
drafted this legislation without the support of my colleagues from 
Idaho, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Minnick, and the co-chairs of the House 
General Aviation Caucus, Mr. Ehlers and Mr. Boyd.
  One hundred years ago, this resolution might have been about 
supporting horses. Aviation has become as important to the modern West 
as horses were to the early explorers, trappers and prospectors. That 
is because the vast majority of Montana's 147,000 square miles aren't 
easily reached by roads--we've got a lot of dirt between light bulbs. 
And like the horse opened new lands in 1910, aviation is critical to 
access today. That is why backcountry airstrips are such an important 
part of our way of life.
  There are too many benefits to list them all. They enable search and 
rescue, fire management, research, disaster relief and wildlife 
management. In the event of mechanical problems or inclement weather, 
they serve as emergency landing sites when larger airports are out of 
reach. They allow public access to some of the most beautiful, remote 
Federal lands in America, regardless of one's physical ability, and 
they serve as efficient access points for tourists, who in turn 
contribute to local economies and small businesses. That means jobs. 
Too often, however, these airstrips are targeted for closure by the 
Federal Government or well-funded special interest groups, or simply 
ignored by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.
  Please join the bipartisan support for this measure and vote for 
House Resolution 1473.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I support the resolution before us, H. Res. 1473, recognizing the 
value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips.
  Aviation provides access, as we've heard, to the most remote and 
scenic areas of our national landscape, and not just for recreational 
users. Backcountry airstrips also provide access for those who do not 
have the physical ability to get to these areas any other way. The 
airstrips also serve an important safety function as emergency landing 
sites in the event of severe weather or another emergency. Sustaining 
these airstrips is critical to preserving safe flight and access to the 
American wilderness. It is important to promote and maintain the public 
use of backcountry airstrips for future generations. Additionally, we 
should be proud of the individuals and private organizations that 
donate their time and resources in order to sustain these airstrips for 
public use and benefit.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution and urge its passage by the 
House today.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1473, as 
amended, introduced by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), which 
expresses support for backcountry airstrips. Generally speaking, a 
backcountry airstrip is an unattended landing area in a location that 
provides access to remote, undeveloped rural areas by aircraft, usually 
airplanes.
  Backcountry airstrips are a part of life for many Americans, 
especially in the West. They provide countless benefits to the general 
public, including search and rescue, fire management, research, 
disaster relief and wildlife management. They also allow public access 
to some of the most beautiful, remote federal lands in America, as well 
as providing a means of access to remote areas for physically 
disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise be able to get to 
remote locations for leisure.
  Backcountry airstrips serve as efficient access points for tourists, 
who in turn contribute to local economies and small businesses. More 
importantly, in the event of mechanical problems or inclement weather, 
they serve as emergency landing sites when larger airports are out of 
reach.
  Many backcountry airstrips are privately owned. In addition, several 
state aviation offices own and operate backcountry airstrips, and many 
airstrips are owned by public agencies involved in land management, 
such as the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land 
Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation.
  H. Res. 1473 recognizes the value of recreational aviation and 
backcountry airstrips located on the nation's public lands and commends 
aviators and the various organizations that maintain these airstrips 
for public use.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H. 
Res. 1473, a resolution supporting recreational aviation and 
backcountry airstrips on America's public lands.
  Backcountry airstrips are a part of life for many Americans, 
especially in the West. They provide countless benefits to the general 
public, including search and rescue, fire management, research, 
disaster relief and wildlife management. They also allow public access 
to some of the most beautiful, remote federal lands in America 
regardless of one's physical ability to otherwise enjoy the 
backcountry.
  Backcountry airstrips serve as efficient access points for tourists, 
who in turn contribute to local economies and small businesses. More 
importantly, in the event of mechanical problems or inclement weather, 
they serve as emergency landing sites when larger airports are out of 
reach. Too often, however, these airstrips are targeted for closure by 
the federal government or well-funded special interest groups, or 
simply ignored by bureaucrats in Washington, DC.
  During a time when our lands are under threat from drought, insect 
infestation and wildfire, and when our economy continues to struggle, 
backcountry airstrips serve a valuable role for land managers and 
visitors alike. Please join me in recognizing the value of recreational 
aviation and backcountry airstrips, in addition to commending aviators 
and the various private organizations that maintain these airstrips for 
public use.

                              {time}  1610

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, for all of the reasons articulated, I again 
encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1473, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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