The River Permits Office of Grand Canyon National Park will not be making interim rule changes before the institution of the next Colorado River Management Plan.
"Anyone with concerns about any aspect of repeat visitation should be making their views known during this scoping period," said Steve Sullivan of the Permits Office. "Repeat use has been a topic of discussion, and we will be looking at that. We be collecting comments until November 1, 2002."
Commercial outfitters have been asked to furnish information on repeat use of their guests, but it is not a requirement. Non-commercial use is tracked through names and ID numbers given to the Park on participant lists, according to Sullivan.
Sullivan went on to emphasize that any and all comments will be fairly evaluated during the drafting of the proposed alternatives, due out next summer.
Six new permits for March, 2003 will be offered to non-commercial trip leaders on the waiting list next week. User days not needed by commercial outfitters are used for non-commercial trips under the terms of a settlement between Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association with other plaintiffs and the Grand Canyon National Park. These permits add up to more than the 300 user days first reported. Check your email or the River Permits cancellation line next week for more information