By Andy Nelson
Access and Permitting Committee Chair
The purpose of the Access and Permitting Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Board of Directors and National Office on matters relating to access to public lands and waters for our member programs. In the past year, there have been a number of new and exciting developments that will continue to shape the work of the committee in achieving the goals of the Association. However, this work cannot be done only by the work of the committee, and we will need the input and assistance of the membership to drive the change we would like to see.
Forest Service Special Use Modernization
One of the big highlights of 2016 was the push from the Forest Service to enhance visitor and community benefits through modernizing the recreation special uses procedures. Some of the major steps included in this are to:
• Clarify and simplify policy related to special use permitting
• Develop tools to allow different types of activities to take place that are low-impact
• Create an electronic permit application system and database
Our Association continues to be a major voice that the Forest Service is looking to for help in this process. Within the next year, it will be critical that members become aware and informed about the special uses modernization. Our committee is dedicated to continuing to provide education and information to you regarding this process. We will undoubtedly need to be tapping folks from a variety of regions and programs to engage with Forest Service workshops and projects related to the modernization of special uses. This is a chance for AORE members to have a direct impact on the future of outdoor recreation on our National Forests.
Guides and Outfitters Act
The Access Committee will also be monitoring federal permitting legislation like the Guides and Outfitters Act, which was the subject of a hearing in Congress on November 30, 2016. If enacted, the Guides and Outfitters Act (GO Act) would waive the permitting indemnification requirement for state universities and other state entities, which would benefit AORE members. AORE Access Committee member Paul Sanford testified at the hearing on behalf of the Wilderness Society and expressed support for the indemnification waiver. We expect the Guides and Outfitters Act to be reintroduced in Congress next year. There will also be a permitting bill introduced in the Senate in 2017.
Continued Projects for 2017
We will strive to provide up-to-date information of issues related to access and permitting in the Association Newsletter and social media. We will continue involvement in the Outdoor Access Working Group (OAWG), external partnerships, and other stakeholder events. We will maintain and grow the access and permitting toolkit located in your member portal. This is where we will post documents related to the Forest Service modernization and other tools to help members build strong relationships with their land managers.
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Access Committee Update