Types of Permits
Commercial Use
Commercial use is defined as recreational use of public lands and related waters for business or financial gain. When any person, group, or organization makes or attempts to make a profit, receive money, amortize equipment, or obtain goods or services, as compensation from participants in recreational activities occurring on public lands, the use is considered commercial.
Examples: outfitters and guides, four-wheel drive tours
Vending
Vendor permits are temporary, short-term, non-exclusive, revocable authorizations to sell goods or services on public lands in conjunction with a recreation activity.
Examples: T-shirt sales in conjunction with an authorized competitive event
Competitive Use
Competitive use is any organized, sanctioned, or structured use, event, or activity on public land in which two or more contestants compete and either (1) participants register, enter, or complete an application for the event, or (2) a predetermined course or area is designated.
Examples: Off-Highway Vehicle races, endurance rides, mountain bike races
Special Area Use
Special Areas are areas officially designated by statute or Secretarial order.
Examples: San Juan River, Grand Gulch/Cedar Mesa
Organized Group Activity and Event Use
Organized group/event permits are for non-commercial and non-competitive group activities and recreation events.
Examples: Boy scout groups, family reunions, organized four-wheel drive events
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Fees
Fees for recreational use of public lands and waters are charged to commercial users, vendors, competitive event participants and spectators, visitors to Special Areas, and participants in organized group activities and events which require a permit. The minimum annual fee for any commercial SRP is currently $90. A pre-payment of estimated user fees is required before any use can occur. The pre-payment amount should be based on an annual revenue estimate agreed to by both the permittee and the authorized officer. When revenues are uncertain (i.e., for the first year of a new operation), the minimum fee of $90 or an estimate agreed to by both parties is appropriate. For competitive events and organized groups, fee estimates will be based on the anticipated number of participants.
Commercial Use Fees
The fee for commercial use is 3% of the gross receipts derived from use authorized under the SRP.
Vendor Use Fees
These are calculated in the same manner as commercial use fees. Vendor fees may also include an assigned site fee and/or exclusive use fee.
Competitive Use Fees
Fees are charged on a per-user day basis for participants, as a percentage of gross receipts, or the $90 minimum fee, whichever is greater. The per-user day rate is currently $4/participant/day. When use is both commercial and competitive, the higher fee will be charged.
Special Area Permit Fees
The fee for individual use of Special Areas is set by the State Director. As an example, fees for overnight permits for the Grand Gulch are $8/person.
Organized Group/Event Fees
The fee for this type of use is currently $4/participant/day.
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Objective of the Special Recreation Permit Program
The objective of the BLM recreation permitting system is to satisfy recreational demand within allowable use levels in an equitable, safe, and enjoyable manner while minimizing adverse resource impacts and user conflicts. In issuing recreation permits to recreational users of public lands, the BLM authorizes permittees' use of the lands and/or related waters for permitted purposes. This represents a privilege to use public lands and/or related waters which is subject to the terms and conditions of the permits.
Recreation permits are managed in a manner which is consistent with management objectives determined in Resource Management Plans, Recreation Area Management Plans, or in their absence, through recreation management objectives resulting from analysis of resources and visitor use in each area.
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How to Apply for a Special Recreation Permit
Step 1
Call the Monticello Field Office at (435) 587-1510 and ask to speak to someone regarding Special Recreation Permits. A pre-application meeting will be held over the phone (or in person, if necessary). An application packet will be sent to you either by post or e-mail following this meeting. Upon receipt of the application packet, please proceed to Step Two.
Step 2
Complete Form 2930-1 following these directions:
Sections 1-11. Enter name of business or organization, your name, e-mail address, social security number or TIN, Address, Phone and FAX numbers, type of business name(s) and phone number(s) of person(s) authorized to conduct business with BLM concerning the permit, and type of permit.
Section 12. Enter the area(s) or route(s) you would like to use for your event or activity. You can make reference to your required map(s).
Section 13. Describe the purpose of the event or activity. State the projected number of participants and spectators.
Section 14. Fill in the arrival date and time and the departure date and time. Commerical permits are typically issued for a one year period; however, a permit can also be issued for a specific block of time.
Section 15. Describe all facilities that you will be providing, such as porta-potties, first aid stations, etc.
Section 17. If you have been issued a permit for a previous service or event, fill in the name of the BLM office that issued the permit and the date of the permit. Check whether or your organization forfeited any portion of the permit, bond, or surety of if any investigation or legal action is pending against you or your organization for use of public lands. If you checked yes, describe the issue in detail on a separate piece of paper and attach it to the application.
Section 18. Sign and date the application.
Do not check any of the boxes on page two. The authorized BLM official will check the appropriate boxes. Items a through d are additional information regarding your application. These items must be provided before the application can be approved. Please note item c. A property damage, personal injury, and comprehensive public liability insurance policy is required of all commercial and competitive permittees and may be required for vending or organized group activities and events. At a minimum, permittees must have in force public liability insurance covering (1) damage to property in the amount of $30,000; and (2) bodily injury or death to persons in the amount of $300,000 per occurrence. The policy must have a minimum annual aggregate limit of $600,000. The insurance certificate must also name the United States Government as additional insured. Check with the Monticello Field Office to determine specific insurance requirements for your proposed activity or activities.
Step 3
Complete the Operating Plan form. This document gives us a clear idea of what you will be doing, when, where, how often, and the size of the group. The plan will specify the extent of temporary facilities that will be provided and describe measures that will be implemented to protect resources and reduce safety hazards.
Step 4
Prepare a topographic map (preferably a 7.5-minute topo map) showing the area(s) of proposed use with routes, parking, staging areas, proposed improvements, and other points of intensive use specifically identified. A photocopy is acceptable if contour lines and any lettering (i.e., township and range information) can be clearly seen.
Step 5
Submit completed items from Steps 2-4 to BLM, Monticello Field Office, P.O. Box 7, Monticello, UT 84535.
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Application Deadlines/Special Regulations
For commercial outfitting/guiding: A completed application packet must be submitted 180 days prior to the date of the activity. This lead time is necessary in order to complete paperwork and any environmental analysis that may be required. More or less time may be needed to complete work on your permit.
For commercial river outfitting: The Monticello Field Office is currently not issuing any new commercial river permits for the San Juan River.
For organized 4WD events: Special Recreation Permits are currently required for all organized events, including clubs, utilizing fifty vehicles or more.
For organized 4WD events: Special Recreation Permits are currently required for all organized events, including clubs, utilizing fifty vehicles or more.
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Questions?
Please contact the Monticello Field Office at (435) 587-1510 if you have any further questions regarding the Special Recreation Permit program or if you would like to hold a pre-application conference.
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