JACKSON, Wyo. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge is seeking public review and comment on fee changes proposed for three types of commercial special use permits issued on the refuge.
The proposed fee change would affect any person or business that charges or includes a fee for guiding on the refuge including tours, workshops and fishing.
The proposed fee change retains the annual permit application fee of $200.00 and adds a Daily Refuge Use Fee which would be based on the number of participants and the number of days the commercial use occurs on the Refuge.
Daily Refuge Use Fees:
- 0-10 people: $10/day
- 11-25 people: $25/day
- 26-50 people: $50/day
- 51 or more people: $75/day
The proposed fee change is planning to go into effect October 2022 and does not impact existing permits. The National Elk Refuge issues more than 50 commercial guiding special use permits annually.
According to the refuge, this fee increase will allow the National Elk Refuge to better manage the impacts of commercial guiding on the refuge including resource impacts, law enforcement, staff time, and maintenance needs.
The deadline for providing comments is June 16, 2022.
Submit written comments to Refuge Manager, Frank Durbian, PO Box 510, Jackson, WY or frank_durbian@fws.gov.
