New Landing strip in Lewis and Clark National Forest !

Four years spent cooperating with the US Forest Service, planning,
building trust and credibility has resulted in a new site for a
recreational airstrip in the beautiful Russian Flat of central
Montana, a short walk from the south fork of the Judith River where
anglers enjoy catch-and-release fishing.

Dan Prill of Sand Coulee, Montana, took the lead for the non-profit
Recreational Aviation Foundation throughout the comprehensive
planning process, which included the requisite public comment input,
an EIS, and public appeals period. The US Forest Service, responding
to the wide-ranging concerns of the public, has authorized the
establishment of the airstrip at Russian Flat in their Record of
Decision.

The site, located about 40 sm southwest of Lewistown,
Montana, was selected by the Forest Service because it met
environmental, wildlife and aesthetic criteria with minimum
disturbance to the landscape. It is ideal for recreational purposes,
because it is adjacent to an established campground with picnic
tables, a vault toilet and an existing unpaved road. The concept is
to prepare a 4,000-foot long grass strip in the 6,300-foot elevation
meadow: Lat N46 deg 43' 18"; Lon W110 deg. 24' 26".
Prill commented, “this decision is significant because until this
location was selected at Russian Flat, there were no public airstrips
on Forest Service lands east of the Rocky Mountain Front.”
The RAF has approved an $8,000 grant to be awarded to the Montana
Pilots Association’s Recreational Airstrip Committee for grounds
preparation and rolling of the landing surface. To allow for adequate
revegetation, it is anticipated that the public will not be allowed
to use the strip for landing and takeoffs until Fall 2009.