ALASKA LIAISON’S CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TONGASS CABINS

RAF Southeast Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest has concerns that some of the 140 US Forest Service cabins in the vast Tongass National Forest are in jeopardy of closure. These cabins are open for public use at very affordable fees, but perceived lack of usage has caused the Forest Service to re-consider continuing to preserve them.

“These cabins are a true treasure in one of the most beautiful parts of the world,” RAF Director Jeff Russell has said.

DeFreest developed a positive relationship with the USFS in his region. This good relationship was developed in part due tohis 30-year career with the Forest Service, including serving as District Ranger within the Tongass National Forest. Since his retirement, now as an RAF volunteer, he received permission to create an informational letter to post in the cabins urging users to record their use. In part, the letter states, “the Forest Service looks closely at low cabin use – and rising access and maintenance costs – when considering which cabins best serve the public now and into the future.” It points out that the Forest Service uses the official agency reservation system www.recreation.gov to accurately assess cabin usage. He emphasizes the importance of informing agency managers of maintenance needs to help them prioritize where to spend their limited maintenance funds.

His campaign began by posting the letter at the historic Big Shaheen Cabin in the Kootznoowoo Wilderness in Admiralty Island National Monument. The letter also includes some cabin use tips, and asks users to reply to him as Recreational Aviation Foundation Southeast Alaska liaison.

Posted in News

ROB KEANE

February 24, 2026

FLORIDA AMBASADOR

HOWIE BOHL

February 24, 2026

CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR

RAF AWARDS GRANT FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF HCRC

February 24, 2026

Oregon RAF Liaison Bill Ables has been awarded a $5,000 RAF grant to retain RAF membership in and support the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) for the next five years. The HCRC was organized in 2016 at the request of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation as a framework for the various recreational user groups to collaborate with the US Forest Service within the 652,488-acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Ables, a past Director and current member of the group, explained that HCRC membership is a cross-section of user groups from both the private and commercial sectors, including river rafters and jet boaters, backpackers, horse packers, aviators, and governmental management agencies. Providing ongoing support ensures continued aviation representation. The rugged Snake River canyon region hugs the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, and includes nine backcountry airstrips within the Recreational Area. All are maintained by volunteer aviation groups in collaboration with the USFS: Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Dug Bar, Temperance Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Lord Flat, Memaloose, and Big Bar. “Our support of HCRC, combined with the other involved aviation groups, ensures ongoing maintenance and improvements at each of these nine airstrips. It benefits general aviation by preserving access to enjoy the beauty of the Hells Canyon area, which directly speaks to the Mission of the RAF,” Ables said. For more information on Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Big Bar, and Memaloose, see the Airfield Guide . Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Temperance Creek, and Salmon Bar are not listed in the Airfield Guide at this time. Submitted February 24, 2026