drtsqrl said:
Okay, I need to clarify the Environmental Assesment thing a bit. As of right now, the BLM usually bears the cost of a new EA. There is no "set" amount for an EA, but they could cost as much as $50,000 or more. The BLM has been making noise lately suggesting that in the future the group that applies for a permit would need to cover the cost of an EA (if one is required). Once an EA is in place, it covers that trail for anyone else who seeks an event permit. This is certainly not fair, and a fight could be brewing if it goes into policy!
Usually, a new EA would be required if there are land-use policy changes (such as surely will be the case when the new RMP comes out), or significant environmental concerns. Not all of the trails in Moab will require new EA's, but it's a good bet that some will. At this time, I don't believe an EA is required for anything but an event (might be wrong here, anyone know for sure?).
Jeff
To add to what Jeff said this is copied from the BLM site:
Special Recreation Permit Cost Recovery Policy
Background
The Bureau of Land Management’s Special Recreation Permit (SRP) regulations were updated and became effective on October 31, 2002. One component of this policy establishes a new system for determining cost recovery when issuing special recreation permits. Revenues collected under this regulation will be returned to the BLM to help protect public lands and benefit the recreating public.
Regulations
The new regulations state that if more than 50 hours of staff time is required for processing a permit, cost recovery of direct expenses related to the permit will be charged. If the 50-hour cost recovery threshold is anticipated to be exceeded, then recovery of costs begins with the first hour.
The provisions cover all Federal activities that convey benefits to recipients beyond those accruing to the general public. When a service provides special benefits to an identifiable recipient, beyond those that accrue to the general public, a charge will be imposed to recover the full cost to the Federal Government for providing this specific benefit.
Cost Recovery Charges
Cost recovery charges will generally be associated with new or substantially different activities or events and will be levied to compensate the Government for the costs of authorizing and administering the new use. Cost recovery fees are most likely to be applicable to large, short-term uses that require extensive environmental analysis and monitoring.
For commercial users, cost recovery charges are in addition to the fees in the national recreation fee schedule. For competitive or organized group permits that exceed the 50-hour threshold, cost recovery will be charged unless anticipated fees exceed the cost recovery charge. In that case, use fees will be charged rather than cost recovery.
Cost recovery charges will be limited to BLM’s costs of issuing the permit, including necessary environmental documentation, on-site monitoring, and permit enforcement. Charges will be based upon the actual personnel (including law enforcement), vehicle, travel/per diem, and material costs required to issue, administer, and monitor the permit. User charges will be sufficient to recover the full cost to the Federal Government and will be based on market prices. User charges will be collected in advance of, or simultaneously with, the rendering of services unless appropriations and authority are provided in advance to allow reimbursable services.
Does this help explain where the fees go?
Oh yea: what Cody said!
When we applied (Isuzu) for our permit the RR4W permit was duplicated so that we did not incur the permit set up fees. The same is true with the other 4x4 permits so the RR4W do pick up the costs for the rest of us.
OK here is something else I bet most of you did not know. Onion Creek is now closed to all except those that hold a permit. I am not sure if the signs are up but when they do go up the general public will no longer be allowed to use the traditional route following the creek bead. To access Top of the World and Rose Garden you will have to stay on the graded road. This is probably the last year even those under permit will be able to use it.