2019 Wilderness Commercial Use Authorization Program Updates

Wilderness commercial use authorizations (CUAs) authorize non-stock guided services, and pack and saddle (stock) services within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

The WSP/FEIS and Appendix B: Extent Necessary Determination (END) established the extent to which commercial services are necessary and allowable in the parks' wilderness areas. Additionally, the END set limits on Commercial Service Days (CSD) for stock and non-stock commercial services throughout the Parks' wilderness.

The initial limited CUA and CSD allocation model for commercial operations throughout the Parks' wilderness was implemented with the issuance of the 2018-2019 2-year CUA. In order to meet its commitment to continually engage stakeholders through public meetings and other forums, the Parks opened a public comment period and held two public meetings from September 26 -October 26, 2018 to solicit feedback on proposed modifications to the CSD allocation system and conditions of specified uses. At the close of the comment period an interdisciplinary team of park staff analyzed the public comments and recommended programmatic changes to the Superintendent.

Based on the public comment and interdisciplinary analysis the Commercial Services Office will implement the following changes to the Parks' CUA program.

Changes to be implemented for the 2020-2021 CUA Cycle:

-The Parks will modify the CUA allocation system of limited CUAs as described in the 2020-2021 Wilderness Commercial Use Authorization Program Model
-The Parks will increase the application fee from $600 to $800 dollars to recover the cost of application review and selection.

Changes to be implemented for the remainder of the 2018-2019 Cycle and carried forward to the 2020-2021 Cycle:

-The Parks will revise technical rock climbing conditions to ensure language meets park intent to recognize rock climbing as a component of mountaineering.
-The Parks will modify the mountaineering and ski-mountaineering guide to client ratio from 1:3 to the industry standard of 1:6.
-The Parks will require basic first aid and CPR as the minimum medical certification for guides. Higher levels of certification will be recommended.
-The Parks will align commercial guide pack out requirements with recommended pack out locations for non-guided visitors in the Mount Whitney Management Area.
-The Parks will modify Educational Trip Qualifications and Requirements to allow leaders with a combination of education and experience to qualify as an educational trip leader.

The 2020-2021 Wilderness Commercial Use Authorization Program Model describes how CUAs will be awarded and CSDs distributed for the 2020-2021 CUA cycle. The Solicitation for the 2020-2021 CUA cycle will be posted on the Parks' "Do Business With Us" webpage when available.

See https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild for more information on the Parks' Wilderness Stewardship Plan.

Questions or comments can be directed to the Commercial Services Office at seki_concessions@nps.gov or (559) 565-3103.

Document Content:

2020-2021 Wilderness Commercial Use Authorization Program Model.pdf   (1.8 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.