Supporting backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation.

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. 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. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1473) supporting backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation, as amended.

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.

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.

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. Speaker, for all of the reasons articulated, I again encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

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. 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 in 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. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.