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State ponders airstrip

| August 29, 2010 9:00 PM

LEWISTON (AP) - Idaho officials are looking for a landing spot to build a recreational airstrip as part of a new fly-in campground somewhere near Hells Canyon.

The state operates 31 recreational airstrips but has had a hard time creating a grass strip at Hells Gate State Park or near it due to restrictions and opposition by private landowners.

"The nicest area for an airstrip, right next to the river, has a big power line crossing it," John DeThomas, administrator of the Idaho Transportation Department's Aeronautics Division, said. "We looked at putting a strip in above the campground, but that required a major taxi-way to reach the camping spots."

He said up to seven acres would be needed for a grass airstrip with a field to park the planes and an adjacent campground.

He said having a camping area near water and recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing and hiking are also key considerations.

Many of the 31 existing recreational airstrips have camping sites and nearby activities, and some have courtesy cars that can be rented.

DeThomas said some of the Idaho sites are nationally known, such as Cavanaugh Bay at Priest Lake, Garden Valley north of Boise, and Johnson Creek east of McCall.

"In the summer, Johnson Creek may get up to 120 aircraft at one time," he said. "They'll have a group fly-in there for the weekend, with planes lined up all along the airstrip. Cavanaugh Bay may get 25 at one time, and there will always be three or four."