June 2007 Bulletin

Forest Service Revising Permitting Policy

 

Those attending a government affairs workshop at the America Outdoors Confluence in Salt Lake City this past December heard Forest Service representatives discuss the parameters of an effort that has been underway to rewrite outfitter permit administration and fee determination policy. The policy rewrite will apparently be released in the future in two phases—permit administration first and then fee policy. Participants heard discussion of a new policy that will establish temporary permits for non-reoccuring use from a “use pool” with less stringent operating requirements which would be available to non profits, institutional users and outfitters. Those pushing for such a pool have been not only institutional users, but college and university outdoor programs. The new policy will also change the way use is reassigned upon permit renewal. The new policy may provide the highest year plus ten percent or something similar. After the new permit administration policy is in place expect the Forest Service to move to a new fee policy that most likely will focus on increased fees and possibly reflect the “fair market value” approach as outlined in their Alaska flat fee policy proposal. In the Alaska proposal fees are inconsistent from one activity to the next. It is expected that the new permit administration policy will be published in the Federal Register sometime in the near future. IOGA will be following the lead of America Outdoors, our national organization, regarding response to these Forest Service initiatives. 

 

2008 Ad Sales Campaign

 

The deadline for placing ads in the 2008 Idaho State Travel Guide Guided Outdoor Adventure Section and IOGA Directory of Guided Outdoor Adventures is September 7, 2007.  Packets with ad rates and additional information will be mailed by July 9th.  Once you receive your advertising packet, please contact Janey at IOGA with any questions (idoutfitt@cableone.net  208.342.1438 or evenings and weekends 208.495.2569)

 

The Guided Outdoor Adventure section of the Travel Guide is reprinted in the IOGA Directory.  200,000 copies of the Idaho State Travel Guide are printed and distributed annually.  IOGA prints and distributes 20,000 copies of the Directory Guided Outdoor Adventures annually.

Opportunity at Cabelas in Boise  

Cabelas in Boise is planning a “Fall Great Outdoors Days” for August 24-26 and September 1-2, 2007.  Outfitters can participate one or both weekends or any portion thereof.  Cabela’s will provide a table and chairs for each outfitter.  Outfitters can bring a table top display or handouts.  You need to remember that Cabela’s will be selling product around your display area.  Outfitters can have promotional material and a sign-up sheet for more information but cannot have a calendar on hand nor book trips during this event. Cabelas requires that each outfitter having a display do at least one seminar or demonstration on their chosen area of expertise.  Outfitters can do more than one if they desire.  Scheduling is on a first come, first serve basis.  Cabela’s would like outfi