Last summer, Michael Boren made headlines for allegedly piloting a low-flying helicopter over a trail building crew working on his family’s Stanley property.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a request for a restraining order against Boren, but was denied by an Idaho judge.
Boren’s brother and sister-in-law sued the U.S. Forest Service in 2019 in opposition to the construction of the trail from Stanley to Redfish Lake that goes across their property. The U.S. Forest Service owns an easement for the trail.
Now Boren wants a conditional use permit for a private airstrip about 15 miles south of Stanley along Highway 75.
Josh Johnson from the Idaho Conservation League said the organization is concerned about recent proposed projects in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
“We do see a lot of projects, whether it’s this air strip or proposed cell tower, further north by the fish hatchery, smaller projects, but cumulatively, if to go forward, could chip away at the special character of that place,” he said.
The proposed site is on private property, and is located between two nearby public airports — one to the north in Stanley and one about 10 miles to the south.
Boren could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Custer County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal on April 1. Written public comments are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.
Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen
Copyright 2021 Boise State Public Radio
