Yellowstone National Park is considering modifications to its Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and operational plans for service-related services that could impact commercial operators in the park, a report said.
The new plans being discussed will outline how commercial services are to be operated in the park in the next five years.
“The purpose of these revisions is to update the existing CUA and operating plans, last approved in 2013,” Yellowstone announced on Tuesday.
The new plans will affect existing and future CUA permit holders. Yellowstone explains the types of commercial operators and the updates to the plans as follows:
- Activity-based CUAs: Bicycling Tours, Environmental Education Tours, Skiing/Snowshoeing, Motorized Boating, Non-Motorized Boating, Overnight Backcountry Trips, Painting and Photography Workshops, Stream and Shoreline Fishing, Road-Based Transportation (groups 1-25), Wedding and Portrait Photography and Single-session Wedding and Portrait Photography.
- Service-based CUAs: Towing and Automotive Services (RV and RV appliance repair, tire repair, locksmith) and Water Access (specific to the Yellowstone River in Gardiner, Montana).
- CUA applications are accepted year-round. Applications may be submitted any time during the current operating year of January 1-December 31 (the previous application period was October 1-March 1). Applications for the following operating year will be accepted beginning October 1 of the current year.
- CUA permit application fees cost $300 annually for each activity-based CUA requested (remains unchanged), $150 every two years for a service-based CUA and $100 per Single-session Wedding and Portrait Photography CUA.
- Management fees remain unchanged and include 3%, 4% or 5% of annual gross receipts. Additional fees are not required for service-based or Single-session Wedding and Portrait Photography CUAs.
“These revisions would improve the CUA program’s consistency with federal laws, policies, and guidelines, and accommodate changing visitor needs and interests. The park would begin operating under this new plan beginning January 1, 2022.”
The public may submit comments on the updated plans until November 23.
The comments may be submitted online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/YELLCUA or by mail.
People can mail comments to:
- Compliance Office, Attention: CUA Plan Revisions
- P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190
According to Yellowstone, comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or other means.