EAA Chapter 132

Steve Whitney sent us this email asking for our help in making Indiana a more seaplane friendly state:

Indiana is historically one of the least seaplane-friendly states in the U.S. While other states like Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota welcome seaplanes to literally thousands of lakes, Indiana law only allows operations on lakes with designated seaplane landing areas. There are only four lakes with public-use seaplane landing areas, out of over 750 lakes in the entire state.

The Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association, under the leadership of Randy Strebig, has been working for the past decade to improve access to Indiana waterways. Due to ISPA’s efforts, since 1998, a total of seventeen additional lakes have been granted seaplane landing areas under a private-use basis, requiring permission from the ISPA to operate there.

Last week, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) announced a pair of hearings to seek public comment on a proposal to open five of these lakes to public-access status.

While it is only a small step, it is in the right direction, and we need all the help we can get to show support.

I am attaching a briefing paper with greater detail and background to share with your members and anyone else who might be supportive. There is more information available at the ISPA website: www.seaplanepilots.org/inspa

In particular, we are asking people to do the following:

All seaplane supporters, worldwide:

• Write a letter of support to INDNR, with a copy to INDOT and our organization (see sample letter)
• Sign our online petition at: www.petitiononline.com/inseapln
• Send this message to other supporters

Supporters near NE Indiana (incl. S. Michigan, NW Ohio)

• Attend and speak at one or both meetings scheduled by INDNR for Feb. 3 and Feb 4.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local Indiana paper

We thank you in advance for your support. Please call Randy Strebig with any questions at (260) 424-5371.

Yours sincerely,
Steve Whitney
EAA # 449205
Webmaster
Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association

O: 847-470-9300 x7