Recreation Event Inspection

Pawnee National Grassland

Permit Holder:              Northern Colorado Rocketry

Event:                          “High Skies in July” rocket launch event

Event Date(s):               Friday, 7/10 – Sunday, 7/12/15

Inspection Date/Time:  Friday, 7/10/15, on-scene from approx. 1230 - 1415

Location(s):                  North Launch Site on National Forest System Road (NFSR) 45

Documented by:           Jon Halverson, Recreation Special Uses Administrator

Comments:

Most of the launch pads and other temporary facilities were set up and ready to go by the time I arrived and several launches took place while I was there, all without incident.

Number of Participants – 20-25 vehicles were present when I was there so I estimate ~40 people were on scene.  Most appeared to be camping.  Numbers are normally low on Fridays since most people don’t have the day off.  Numbers normally go up substantially on Sat & Sun.  There was no pre-registration for this event so unknown how many people they might expect based on that but the total number of people usually present for a summer event is reported to be 100 - 150.

Site Impacts - The event site showed little ground/vegetation disturbance or other physical impacts associated with group’s activities.  The area where vehicles park was somewhat compacted and had shorter vegetation but this site is commonly used by a other users throughout the year so the impacts cannot be attributed solely to NCR.  The same is true for the barren core area immediately around the single fire ring.

Temporary Facilities - Temporary facilities consisted of a number of tables for launch preparation and control, the launch pads themselves and electronic launch equipment, a portable PA system and safety signs.  Sun/rain canopies were set up by the vendors and by other individuals at their parking/camping locations.  The club’s equipment trailer, for transporting all club-owned launch equipment as well as the fire suppression tools, was parked near the launch control table and used for storage.  The number and size of temporary facilities appeared to be appropriate for the event.

Safety/Signing – Appropriate advisory signs were posted as specified at the entrances to the area.  The spectator area was not separated from the flight area by a safety rope, as is normally the case (the rope supports were forgotten at home) but staff implemented an adequate contingency plan and monitored closely to avoid problems.  Most folks at launches are aware of the need to stay back from the flight area when flight operations are in progress anyway unless they are in the process of prepping a rocket on the pad.  The PA system, used to make pre-flight safety announcements, etc., was being used.

I asked the Launch Control Officer to tell me what he covered in the briefing he gave prior to the start of flights this morning and he hit all the items I am concerned about.  Since more people would be showing up tomorrow, he noted that there would be another briefing then, as is normal.

Vehicles/Parking – All vehicles were parked appropriately on flat, dry ground within 100 feet of the road and causing no concerns.  No off-road motor vehicle use or other concerns were observed.

Sanitation – No sanitation issues were observed or reported.

There were 3 portable toilets present, split between 2 locations along NFSR 45.  They were appropriately located on flat, dry ground adjacent to the road and were staked down, as required.  In addition, there were several RV’s/trailers with self-contained facilities present.  The number of toilets present appeared to be adequate for the number of people present/anticipated.

Trash receptacles were present.  The area was generally clean and free of litter.  NCR normally polices the area for trash before they vacate the site at the end of an event.

Vendors – There were several vendors present.  There did not appear to be any issues relating to vendor activities.  Vendor income from the event will be reported as part of their post-season Actual Revenue Report for billing purposes.

Fire – All normal/specified fire protection measures were in place.  Hand tools and extinguishers were staged near each group of launch pads.  No fire-related issues were observed.

The prairie was very green – lots of grass and taller than “normal” as a result of recent precip but also due to that moisture, this fuel was not ready to burn so fire concerns were pretty minimal for a change.

I was advised that NCR reported to Dispatch on 7/13 that they had had 3 fires over the weekend, 2 on Sat and 1 on Sun.  All fires were successfully suppressed by the group and the appropriate notification was made to Dispatch the next work day, as provided for in the Operating Standards.  NCR fully met their obligations under the permit.

Other – There were cattle present a ways off to the east but they were far enough away that there were no conflicts.  Range Rider Dana Bowman was present in the area while I was there.

I made a point of visiting the other location NCR is authorized to use, the Atlas Launch Site, since I had never been there.  I can see why it is a desirable location for launches, especially during the winter months, given the paved road right to the site and the large concrete pad that the launch pads get placed on which virtually eliminates the fire hazard in the immediate pad area at a time of year when the vegetation is cured out and susceptible to fire if there has been no precip for a while.  Parking is limited so use during the winter months, when event attendance is lower, makes good sense.  The site was full of spent shell casings from recreational shooting use not associated with launch events.  NCR has noted previously that they clean up a bunch of brass pretty much every time they use this site, which is greatly appreciated.

Summary – Overall, the event appeared to be very well organized and executed (as always).  All activities observed and reported were in compliance with the terms and conditions of the special use permit, the Operating Standards and the approved operating plan.  Good Job (as usual)!

The group is well aware of their responsibility to take care of the public’s land and grateful for the opportunity to launch here.  They have consistently demonstrated a willingness to implement all reasonable fire prevention and other resource protection measures to be good stewards of the land and help insure they can continue to hold activities on PNG.

This has been a crazy busy week - I'll get launch logs posted soon.