[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17438-17439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7966]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-120-1220-EA]


Establishment of a Moratorium on Issuance of New Special 
Recreation Permits

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Portions of the Kremmling Resource 
Area and the Glenwood Springs Resource Area, CO.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that a moratorium on issuance of 
new Special Recreation Permits for river related commercial recreation 
activities in the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management 
Area is in effect. No new annual Special Recreation Permits (SRPs) for 
river related commercial recreation activities will be issued for the 
Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) for a 
period of one year. The SRMA extends from approximately five miles east 
of Kremmling downstream to Dotsero. Only qualified commercial operators 
with a valid SRP for the 2000 season will be considered for renewals of 
annual or multi-year authorizations for the 2001 season and any future 
year until the moratorium is lifted. Any requests for changes in 
activity or location for existing permits will be reviewed and approved 
at the discretion of the authorized officer. The BLM will not accept 
any new applications nor issue any new SRPs to any individual, group, 
organization,

[[Page 17439]]

corporation or company for the purpose of providing river related 
commercial recreation activities.
    Proposals for land-based uses within the SRMA will be accepted and 
evaluated by BLM to determine if a public benefit or need exists. An 
outfitter's desire for an authorized use does not constitute a public 
need, nor does market generated demand in the form of solicited calls 
or letters. The BLM will evaluate the public benefit or need based on 
certain elements such as new technology, unmet public demand, areas 
with low user conflict, protection of natural resources, etc. to help 
meet the BLM's management objectives and to provide a high quality 
recreation service. Issuance of a permit is discretionary with the 
authorized officer. The BLM reserves the right to reject any or all 
proposals for additional uses on existing permits or for new 
authorizations. The BLM is not obligated to accept a proposal based on 
its monetary return to the agency since the primary management 
objective is to best serve the public need while protecting the natural 
resources and maintaining a quality recreation experience.
    The BLM river managers in the Kremmling and Glenwood Springs Field 
Offices have determined that a moratorium on new Special Recreation 
Permits issued for the Upper Colorado River SRMA is needed to allow the 
managers to utilize their time more effectively on river management 
issues such as visitor services, permit compliance, site maintenance, 
and use level issues. Currently there are 72 permits issued by 
Kremmling and 26 issued by Glenwood Springs authorizing river related 
commercial activities including raft and inflatable kayak trips, canoe 
and kayak instruction, guided fishing, vehicle shuttles, equipment 
rentals, rock climbing, and photography. Due to the large number of 
outfitters operating in the river corridor, it is felt that the 
public's needs are being adequately met at the present time. Sales of 
outfitting businesses and any transfers of permits will be dealt with 
through the BLM Manual Handbook H8372-1 and the Recreation Use Permit 
Administration Manual/Policy Statement and Handbook/User Guide. In 
addition, no subleasing of a permit is allowed.

DATES: The moratorium on new permits will go into effect immediately as 
of the publication date and will remain in effect until February 1, 
2002. At that time, river managers will determine if additional permits 
will be allowed or if a continuation of the moratorium on new permits 
issued is necessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich Rosene, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, Kremmling Field Office, P.O. Box 68, Kremmling, CO 80459, 
(970) 724-3437; or Dorothy Morgan, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Glenwood 
Springs Field Office, P.O. Box 1009, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602, (970) 
947-2806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority for implementing this action is 
found in 43 CFR 8372.3.

    Dated: February 22, 2001.
Dave Harr,
Field Manager, Kremmling Field Office.
Anne Huebner,
Field Manager, Glenwood Springs Field Office.
[FR Doc. 01-7966 Filed 3-29-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-66-M