Pawnee access permit?

[Greg RappParticipant]

I’m hoping someone can elaborate on Joe’s email today about access to Pawnee. In his email Joe said,

“Furthermore, she has reiterated her position that until a signed permit for our activities is in place, ALL launches are off, at least for now.”

I guess I always figured we did have a permit of some type. Is it hard to obtain? Do we have to get a new one for every launch date, or annually, or is it a one-shot type deal? Seems like a no brainer to get one unless the process in credibly hard/time consuming/costly, especially if this is all we need to get back on the prairie.

Thanks!

Greg

[edwardModerator]

I believe it has been in process on the desk of the USFS for the past few years – I guess the cogs in the government work slow.

Edward

[Chad]

I don’t know as much about the Dept. of Agriculture (my experience is with the Dept. of Interior), but the permit may rest on NEPA compliance.

If there is the potential for the permitted activity to harm natural or cultural resources, then Natl Environmental Policy Act or Natl Historic Preservation Act stipulations will have to be met. This may be as easy as getting the managing agency to issue a Categorical Exclusion for the activity, or as complicated as an Environmental Assessment report.

Is is possible that in order for the Pawnee Administrator to sign-off on a Cat-X (and only they have the final authority to do so), they need to have policies and procedures in place to bring the level of impact below the threshold of an Environmental Assessment.

Clearly one of these issues is fire, and there may need to be a fire plan and training program developed. But noise, impacts to other permitted users (like hunters and ranchers), critical times for wildlife, all may need to be addressed.

Special Use Permits are required for all organized events that don’t come under the umbrella of normal individual use. This is designed to protect the access and experience of the individual from commercial activities or activities not initiated by the land manager.

Of course all this in conjecture, but it gives some background. I’m sure we will learn more soon.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Joe will explain all at the meeting, I’m sure. The permit has been “in process” since I’ve been a member for four-five years or so, at least.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

The permit has been in process for at least 5 or 6 years now. We aren’t what’s holding it up. I just now got back from lunch with Joe discussing this very issue. HOPEFULLY, we will have one or more reps at the annual meeting to clarify issues. Management of the grasslands has changed over the last 18 months since John Oppenlander retired and USFS is still figuring things out. We are certainly being proactive about dealing with this issue. Let’s all wait until the annual meeting before speculating or starting a panic over this. At the very least we have access to legal remedies in the event they drag their feet. In theory, the permit could already be approved and everyone is just away for the holidays.

Warren

[Greg RappParticipant]

Not trying to spread rumors or start a panic, just thought it might save time on Saturday if details could be shared in advance. Thanks for the info Warren. Why does it not surprise me that this is being held up by government red tape?!

[RocketwhizParticipant]

Found this on NFS web site Pg 24

http://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/components/reports/sopa-110210-2010-01.pdf

This looks like possible good news

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Nice work, Mark! Looks like our permit will be implemented next month. I’m sure we’ll get a confirmation tomorrow. Very cool.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

EXCELLENT NEWS!!!!! This is more info than Joe and I had when we last met. I expect the meeting tomorrow to go very smoothly. THANK YOU MARK!

Warren

[greywolves]

Exhale………………great news.

3, 2, 1, Go Joe!!!

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