89–008 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111–593 

SUPPORTING BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS AND 

RECREATIONAL AVIATION 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 1473] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 1473) supporting backcountry 

airstrips and recreational aviation, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that 

the resolution be agreed to. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike the preamble and insert the following: 

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 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 1473, as amended, 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. 


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BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

In general, 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 allow enhanced access for a variety of recreational activities, emergency services, firefighting, and land management activities, and they provide a means of access to remote 

areas for physically disadvantaged individuals who might not otherwise be able to get to remote locations for leisure. These airstrips 

also 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 for aircraft when larger airports 

are out of reach. 

Many backcountry airstrips are privately owned. However, several state aviation offices own and operate backcountry airstrips, 

and many airstrips are owned by public agencies involved in land 

management, such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 1473, as amended, 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. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On June 24, 2010, Representative Denny Rehberg introduced H. 

Res. 1473, supporting backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation. This resolution has not been introduced in a previous Congress. 

On July 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 1473. The Committee adopted an amendment to the bill by voice vote with a 

quorum present. The Committee ordered the bill, as amended, reported favorably to the House by a voice vote with a quorum 

present. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of 

votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to report 

and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the 

names of those members voting for and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection with consideration of H. Res. 1473 

or ordering the resolution reported. A motion to order H. Res. 1473, 

as amended, reported favorably to the House was agreed to by 

voice vote with a quorum present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 


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COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, H. Res. 1473, as amended, is a resolution of the House of Representatives, and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2010, or any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and section 308(a) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that 

the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no 

comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant 

programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance goals and objectives for 

any measure that authorizes funding is required. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no cost 

estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes funding 

is required. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits, 

as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives. H. Res. 1473, as amended, does not 

contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

With respect to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, H. Res. 1473, as amended, is a resolution of the House of Representatives, and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Res. 1473, as amended, contains no Federal mandates. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 1473, as amended, does not preempt any state, local, 

or tribal law. 


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ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 1473, as amended, makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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