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Last updated: 04/04/03

Why is the BLM increasing these fees?

Since 1984, the BLM has made no changes, including adjustments for inflation, to the Special Recreation Permit Fees it charges. While the BLM's appropriated budget has not increased for the past decade, the costs of providing visitor amenities and other services to the expanding recreating public have escalated dramatically. In auditing the BLM's accounts, the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) have advised the agency to obtain a fair return on the special uses of the public lands and waters under its jurisdiction. The BLM's own recreation regulations, promulgated after extensive public consultation in 1984, provide for periodic adjustments in recreation fees in response to changes in costs. In authorizing the Recreation Fee Pilot Demonstration Project, the Congress directed the BLM and other agencies with management responsibilities on lands where recreation occurs to collect reasonable user fees from those who actually participate in recreation activities on the Nation's public lands.

How much revenue will the increase raise?

The BLM estimates that the annual revenue to be raised with the permit fee increase is between $200,000 and $400,000.

How will the BLM use this revenue?

The BLM will use the additional revenue on a variety of projects and services that will help protect the public lands and waters and benefit the recreating public and the special user groups to which the fees apply. The BLM will be able to provide better services, facilitate the permit process, improve public health and safety at events held on the public lands and waters, improve interpretive services and signing, and hire seasonal workers and other personnel. The BLM will also use a portion of the revenue to refurbish recreation sites, upgrade restroom facilities, collect refuse, and improve accessibility for all users. All of the special recreation permit fees collected by the BLM will be used at the site of collection to improve the quality of the public's recreation experience.

To which activities does this increase apply?

The Special Recreation Permit Fees do not affect members of the general public who wish to visit their public lands. Such casual users will continue to be able to use the public lands for recreation free of charge. The BLM issues Special Recreation Permits only for labor intensive activities and events conducted in BLM areas where irreversible and/or substantial resource damage could occur or there is concern for public health and safety. The fees therefore apply to competitive activities and events, such as endurance races, off-highway vehicle races, dog sled races, land sailing competition, and Eco-Challenge. Special Recreation Permits may also apply to organized group activities or events, such as the Burning Man, mountain man rendezvous, amateur rocket and hot air balloon events, and/or large social gatherings of reunions, religious groups, or large youth encampments, such as Boy and Girl Scouts, and the Campfire Girls.

Do these fee increases apply to recreation fee pilot sites?

This permit fee increase is not a component of the Recreation Fee Pilot Demonstration Program. The increased Special Recreation Permit fee will only apply if an event occurs within an existing Recreation Fee Pilot Demonstration Project area. When that scenario occurs, it is only a matter of the BLM ensuring that the various fees are deposited in the correct accounts.

When will the increase go into effect?

The increased fee will take effect October 1, 1999. Nine of the eleven BLM States have already begun to work with their affected user groups. They are briefing the public and specific constituencies of the proposed increase in the Special Recreation Permit Fee.

When was the last time the BLM increased these fees?

The Special Recreation Permit Fee was last increased 15 years ago, in 1984.

How can I pay the fees?

Fees must be paid in advance, by cash or check; some BLM offices are also equipped to accept payment by credit card. If the event is large and involves a substantial sum of money, a cashier's check may be required, or the BLM may request a payment bond until the proper fees are paid.

When does the BLM plan to increase the fees again?

The Federal Register establishes a formula for the subject fees to be updated on a 3-year cycle in conjunction with the minimal commercial and assigned site fee. The BLM and the USDA Forest Services use the Implicit Price Deflator Index (IPDI) to assess changes in the fees. Based on past experience and economic trends for the index, the BLM anticipates that the fee would not be increased for at least the next 10 years.

Are there any exceptions to this fee increase?

The Director of the BLM is the only person authorized to make an exception to the payment of the Special Recreation Permit Fee. Charitable organizations and other non-profit entities are not exempt from the Special Recreation Permit Fee. With this in mind, Field Managers will carefully assess the need for the permits by considering the requirements of the group, group size, timing, and location of an event, and environmental concerns.

Was the public involved in developing this new fee schedule?

The public was consulted intensively in the preparation of the Recreation Regulations, 43 CFR 8372, which established the 1984 fee schedule and provided for the fees to be adjusted periodically in response to changing costs. The BLM is now acting in accordance with those regulations.

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