Why is it important to the general public that outfitters be properly permitted to use Bureau of Land Management boat ramps and lands on the North Platte River? Why is it important to permitted outfitters that all outfitters must be permitted to use these lands?
First of all lets remember that BLM is a federal agency. And, although it may not feel like it federal lands are shared by all of us...this is your land. Why should you demand that outfitters have permits? That is completely up to you, but, BLM permits cost the outfitter a fee every time they use BLM land commercially. The money generated goes to things like outhouses and boat ramp maintenance for everybody to use. It also creates statistics, by outfitter annual reports, that help determine the future of Grey Reef as a fishery. It is also intended to limit the commercial use of the resource. There has been a moratorium on new Grey Reef permits for several years. No new outfitters are able to secure a permit at the moment. With these permits, the outfitter is required to carry substantial insurance on behalf of the BLM.
So, a rogue outfitter is not contributing money to the services provided by the BLM. Instead he is pocketing the money and saying screw the users of Grey Reef. A rogue outfitter isn't required to carry insurance that puts the BLM (our tax $) at risk of a law suit. The rogue outfitters aren't contributing to statistical data for Grey Reef use.
Why is this unfair to outfitters who do things right? Well, we pay. Thus contribute to the services that we all use. We protect the BLM from loss via our insurance policies (again we pay). We provide data for BLM use. But, luckily as outfitters who have permits we are protected, by the BLM, from those who don't. There are stiff penalties for those who a caught outfitting on BLM lands at Grey Reef without a permit.
It is easy to spot permitted outfitters. They have a small BLM sticker with a number on the starboard bow and the port stern of their boat as well as one on their trailer.
Vote on the poll concerning BLM permits.
Erik Aune
Wyoming fly fishing focused on the North Platte River. Grey Reef, Fremont Canyon and Miracle Mile fly fishing tips, pics and politics.
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5 comments:
Since you wrote about it, let’s talk about it. You made three points about why it is important outfitters be permitted.
1. Statistics.
The only two statistics the BLM or the forest service gets from outfitters are where the trips start and stop from and the total amount of user days. (Which, a user day is considered one paying person). So, a normal boat trip has a two user day statistic.
2. Money.
BLM permits cost $80 per year and a .03 (3%) fee of each trip. So if a given outfitter only did 80 trips and charged $400 per trip, the total amount of that money for the 80 trips would be $1,040. Not really a lot when you consider a total amount of $32,000 for the privilege of using the peoples land. That’s 3.25% and dropping for every trip after that. And, this is only if the outfitter reports all usage. And each outfitter is only given so many usage days. If it’s not reported, they do not pay. They take a chance of getting caught. When was the last time that has ever happened? When was the last time you ever heard and outfitter say “Sorry, I’m all out of usage days for the year, I cannot take you down the river.”
3. Insurance.
This is the true cost of a permit to the outfitter. Because an outfitter must have proof of insurance (amount of insurance dictated by the Minimal Amount Required by the agency). The type of insurance is directly related to the class of water being floated and amount of boats on the plan. Grey Reef is the lowest class available. Then again, some outfitters make their guides carry this fee.
So, do I feel like the public gets their fair share for allowing another individual to profit
off of such a valuable resource. (Valuable resource not my words but yours last spring.)
No. Way too cheap.
I'm not suggesting the system isn't without flaws. I'm also not suggesting that it not is relatively inexpensive to use BLM ground. But, as a government entity they look at the big picture...not just the localized issue. What are the benefits to the public by outfitters attracting people to the area? Many will say "no benefit, not worth it". But, I don't think it is that cut and dry.
I hope your not suggesting that Grey Reef isn't a valuable resource? I know what you are getting at...resource defined as "means to profit". I have to believe that profiting is enjoying a good quality of life or else I wouldn't be doing this.
By the way, the outfitters in the area file their annual reports, pay their dues and are subject to audit.
I do know of an outfitter who limits their days by a forest service permit. We haven't come to that yet.
So, is it okay for a rogue outfitter to operate without paying for what he is using?
Erik
Is it okay for a rogue outfitter to operate without paying for what he is using?
Without sounding like a hypocrite…….No. It’s never okay to break the law. Even though we all have, do or will. Speeding, cheating (stretching) on our taxes, J-walking, whatever.
I do however believe that Wyoming should have laws like the bordering states of Wyoming have. Such as:
You cannot guide in the state unless you live in the state. You cannot give your user days to anyone who is not a licensed guide of that state and who is not submitted as a guide under the permitted outfitter. Outfitters cannot share user days. I believe these laws would take care of most rogue outfitters (make it easier to see them and keep them honest), but more important keep more dollars in the state. Is it really worth the time and energy to go after a bed and breakfast business who ties in a float trip?
But I do believe that Wyoming’s resource should be paid for and those monies should be kept in the state and the fees should reflect a larger percent of the total income made on that resource. I for one would have no problem paying $250.00 for an out of state yearly license to fish on your waters or a $15.00 per day license. If you want the product you should pay for it. If you want to profit from the peoples land, you should pay for it appropriately. 3% is an insult to the tax paying public. I’d rather they increase my taxes and make the whole system a lottery drawing for the day a person wants to fish. The Smith River here in Montana did that and it’s fair to all users. Or charge more for the right to use public land for profit.
So in closing, I do not believe in breaking the law, but I do believe there are smarter ways to enforce those laws, and the public does deserve a fairer share of those who profit from our land/water usage. Fishing outfitters are not the only ones who get a break on this usage either. Ranchers who use BLM lands to graze their cattle for $3 a square are getting away with robbery as well, not to mention they can close access to that public land. This is definitely a BLM problem and will not change anytime soon until we the people demand it. You know that is not going to happen!
States not allowing out of state residents to conduct business would be a violation of interstate commerce. It is, however, silly for someone to hire a guide from anywhere but the area they will be guided. That is why most of the folks who come from other states to guide on Grey Reef only do it during the spring...when the fishing is easy. They tuck tail and run once the water comes up or the feared algae bloom shows up.
You have to remember that we as individuals pay or taxes and so do our guests so we should have as much right to use it as anybody. There are lots of arguements that can be made. What about the guy from Canton, Ohio who has never heard of Grey Reef, the North Platte River or Casper,WY...why are his tax $ going here. And, why are ours going to fund a soup kitchen in Florida?
The BLM Casper office actually gets to use the outfitter fees to pay for local things...that in itself may not be right? Maybe since it is Federal ground the fees should be put in the general fund for projects all across the country?
Writing the check for our annual use is not insignificant.
Maybe the "Rogue" outfitters would obtain the proper BLM permits if they were issued fairly without the BLM stating that "no permits are being issued." Some of us want to obtain permits but simply cannot due to red tape.
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