The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge is seeking public review and comment for fee changes proposed for 3 types of commercial special use permits issued on the Refuge. The proposed fee change would affect any person or business that charges or includes a fee for guiding on the refuge including guided tours, guided workshops (such as art or photography), and guided fishing.
The proposed fee change retains the annual permit application fee of $200.00 and adds a Daily Refuge Use Fee which would be based on the number of participants and number of days the commercial use occurs on the Refuge. Written comments will be accepted from May 18 through June 16, 2022. Please submit written comments to Refuge Manager, Frank Durbian, PO Box 510, Jackson, WY or frank_durbian@fws.gov.
Proposed Fee Change:
$200/year application fee + Daily Refuge Use Fees
- Daily Refuge Use Fees
- 0-10 people: $10/day
- 11-25 people: $25/day
- 26-50 people: $50/day
- 51 or more people: $75/day
The proposed fee change is planning to go into effect in October of 2022 and does not impact existing permits. All commercial special use permits issued beginning October 2022 and forward would be subject to this fee change.
This fee change is commensurate with fees charged for commercial uses on the surrounding National Parks and National Forests. The National Elk Refuge issues more than 50 commercial guiding special use permits annually. This fee increase will allow the National Elk Refuge to better manage the impacts of commercial guiding on the refuge including resource impacts, law enforcement, staff time, and maintenance needs.
The public is encouraged to provide input by writing to: Refuge Manager, National Elk Refuge, PO Box 510, Jackson, WY 83001; or by email frank_durbian@fws.gov. The deadline for providing comments is June 16, 2022.
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