USFS Outlines Plan To Make Issuing Of Special Use Permits Quick, Efficient, And Easy
On June 17, 2016, the US Forest Service announced plans to modernize and streamline the special use permitting process for access to public lands. It will now be easier for outfitters, guides, schools, non-profits, and other parters to take groups onto national forest lands to enjoy outdoor activities. Hooray!
The mountains, forests, and rivers of the United States provide a sustainable form of recreation for all Americans. By making it easier to get permits, our public lands will be more accessible to the general public.
Over 160 million visitors recreate on national forest lands per year without permits. By making it easier for individuals and businesses to obtain Forest Service recreation special use permits, it will allow more providers to take groups of people into these special places to experience outdoor recreation. This has the potential to be life changing.
According to the press release from the United States Department of Agriculture, outdoor recreation on public lands contributes over $13 billion dollars to the national economy and supports over 205,000 jobs annually. These jobs “strengthen local economies through the many small businesses that benefit from proximity to national forests, including more than 5,000 outfitters and guide businesses. The Forest Service currently administers more than 23,000 recreation special use permits a year.”
This modern approach to special use permits won’t happen overnight. Instead it will be implemented over time allowing the USFS to evaluate and adjust based on feedback. These are the steps that the USFS outlined:
- Streamlining the process to receive or renew a recreation special use permit
- Increasing staff capacity and the consistency of the permit process across the country through standardized training programs
- Encouraging managers to take greater advantage of allowable waivers when special use permit is not required
- Investing in technology to improve business tools and data that support recreation special uses – including an electronic permit application process
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack notes that they still need Congress to “pass a a real budget fix that stops the chronic drain on Forest Service resources that comes from the growing costs of fighting wildfire.” This would open up more funds and staffing for the streamlining and modernization of the special use permit system.
This is a huge step in the right direction in our opinion. We fully support expanding recreational access opportunities on National Forest lands. Not only will it help to support local businesses, drive tourism, and employ guides, but it will also help more people experience the mountains that we love with a responsible and conservation-minded approach. We are excited to see how this applies to skiing, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and other backcountry activities.
Thanks to the USFS and everyone who has been involved in this national conversation, like the Outdoor Access Working Group, for making this a reality. We hope that everyone can help to support this effort.
Read more about the effort to streamline the Forest Service special use permit system from these sources:
- USDA Press Release
- Mountaineers.org
