The Idaho Airstrip Network Steering Committee continues working towards full implementation of the Action Plan which was approved by the Idaho Transportation Board (ITB) in July of 2005.

Since its approval by the ITB, the Steering Committee has organized five (5) subcommittees, or working groups:

• Organization and Governing Committee.  This group developed numerous alternatives as to how the Network might most successfully be managed by the multiple partners involved.  A format was arrived at wherein a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed identifying responsibilities of each participant.  Separate documents will guide funding mechanisms, cooperative maintenance efforts, and cost-sharing projects.  Within this selected alternative, a Coordinator will be retained and shall serve at the pleasure and direction of the Steering Committee, with responsibilities revolving around complete implementation of the Action Plan.  It is hoped this individual might be selected and hired by summer of 2008.  This committee has fulfilled its goals and is currently standing by.

• Classification & Inventory Committee.  This working group developed a matrix by which all airstrips included in the Network will be classified.  Four classifications were agreed upon to separate those airstrips open for public use; (1) Wild, (2) Primitive, (3) Developed, and (4) Community.  Additionally, two other classifications were identified; those not available for public use and others having restrictions on use.  There are currently over 100 airstrips included in the Classification Matrix, with more to be added during the coming year.  This committee has completed its work to this point.

• Maintenance Prioritization Committee.   This group of individuals wrestled with how participating agencies might prioritize identified maintenance projects on specific airstrips.  Numerous inspection forms/templates were developed with many ultimately adopted by the Steering Committee, while others remain in the process of being revised.  Additional meetings will be held to finalize the work started by this group.

• Database Committee.  The Database Committee is charged with identifying specific data which must be included within a database to be developed.  To this point, there have been many items identified which must be made available to the general public and others which will be used by IAN managers only; work continues on this process.  The committee is currently evaluating the following issues:

                     i.            Finalization of data that needs to accessed by the public.

                   ii.            Data which would be useful only to IAN managers, therefore restricted to that group of participants.

                  iii.            Alternatives for getting the database designed and built; in-house by ITD, collaboration with the Department of Commerce on their existing database, retention of an outside firm to design the database.

§         Budget & Resource Committee.  This group is just beginning its work and will hold its first meeting on February 28, 2008.  The primary goal of this committee will be to develop a budget and identify funding issues for Action Plan implementation.  This work must be accomplished prior to hiring of a coordinator or consideration of hiring an outside firm to complete the database work.

Work on the ground will begin in the spring of 2008, with inventories and maintenance inspections of all airstrips in the Network being conducted, followed by development of maintenance plans for each facility.  The Steering Committee recognizes it may be too tall of an order to expect inspections and maintenance plans of each airstrip in 2008, however all participants will be working towards that end.