Local backcountry groups ask Daggett County to sign lease, FAA application to reopen Taylor Flat airstrip

Representatives of the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association told the Daggett County Commission on Sept. 30 that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved their application to reopen the Taylor Flat backcountry airstrip and asked the county to sign two documents so work can proceed.

“Those two things that need to be signed would be the lease agreement with the BLM and also the application for the FAA identifier,” said Wendy, a RAF representative. She told commissioners she had a paper FAA application and could upload it once the county signed the copy. She said the FAA typically takes “4 months or 6 months” to process an identifier application.

The presenters said volunteers from both nonprofits will do most of the on-the-ground work to recondition the strip and that they do not want the airstrip to be a financial burden on the county. “We don't want that airstrip to be any burden to the county,” Wendy said, adding that grant funding often covers expenses.

Speakers described seasonal and wildlife-related restrictions tied to the BLM approval; the groups discussed timing and said reopening activities are likely to begin in May when seasonal restrictions lift. They also discussed operational details: presenters said the runway’s magnetic designation is 927 and that the FAA assigns the runway number after evaluating obstructions and other factors.

John Clayton, representing the RAF and the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association, described a preference on the FAA application for listing the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association as a consolidated point of contact to assist pilots, manage airstrip information and make notices to airmen — not to exercise operational authority. “It doesn't give any authority to do anything at the airport,” he said of that listing; “it's mainly to keep track of the aviation part of it as pilots helping other pilots.”

Speakers also discussed complementary work at nearby primitive strips (including Dutch John), potential modest camping and parking improvements, and continuing coordination with the BLM and state/federal contacts. The presenters identified Patrick Barns Brock at the Bernal BLM office as the BLM Realty contact who sent the paperwork.

The commission asked staff to place the lease and FAA application on next week’s agenda for formal consideration and signing. The presenters were invited to participate in the next meeting virtually or in person.

What happens next: commissioners requested the documents be placed on the next agenda so the county can consider signing the BLM lease and the FAA identifier application; no county signature was recorded on Sept. 30.