The note below came across on the "bodreps" list - the distribution for the TLCA board and chapter representatives.
The Glitter Gulch Gambol in Nevada is being cancelled this year, due to issues with obtaining the necessary permit from the Nevada BLM. It's too bad - I've considered attending this event, but just haven't gotten around to doing it. But, anyway, it won't be happening this year.
I just wanted to share this with everyone. Unfortunately, I think it's the sort of story that we'll be hearing more and more in the years to come.
Evan
*****************************************
All,
We have run into a huge problem with this year's Glitter Gulch Gambol.
Although we have pulled them same permit for the last 3 years from the Southern Nevada office of the Bureau of Land Management, this year they decided to give us an unusual hassle. Our permit has always cost us $90 to process upfront with a fee per registered vehicle or per person whichever is greater at conclusion of the event. We always anticipate at least 8 months to process the permit, so we usually start around March or April with the submittal (they technically ask for 6 months to process). This year started with our submittal on April 11, however, by the end of May, the folks at BLM told us our event was scheduled during prime tortoise mating season, so we agreed to push our date back (by this time we already had our ad going to print).
Things quickly deteriorated from here. BLM told us that we may run into additional expenses to process the permit, because they anticipated they would use more than their 50 hours of allotted base time. Any additional hours, plus any costs associated to perform field investigations would require additional permitting fees. We received a letter from them, stating we would incur those costs as they anticipated using 86 hours, but they did not give us a total cost. After discussions with their staff and the Las Vegas office manager, we received a letter on July 5 that we would need to pay $5500 to process the permit. With the typical 25 or so vehicles we have registered each year, that would be over $200 each just for the BLM. We have appealed this to both the Department of the Interior, and our Congressmen, but we do not believe we will get any resolve on this issue.
With that said, we will be officially canceling the Glitter Gulch Gambol this year. We have already incurred some costs, such as advertising, postage, and permitting that we will be eating, but we cannot justify spending anymore money at this point.
The irony of the whole issue, and part of our letter to our Congressman, is that this land is free to use by anyone at any time unless it is part of an organized event where registration will take place. Everyone in our club that I have talked to agrees that we should have an "unofficial" overnight, weekend trail run in the area sometime during late October or early November. It is a shame that we cannot enjoy our land, share it with others, and collect money for TLCA, Blue Ribbon, and the others to whom we donate.
I will be posting on IH8MUD, Pirate, and our website the cancellation notice. I will also field phone calls and emails.
I am so disappointed to do this.
Thanks,
John Day
The Glitter Gulch Gambol in Nevada is being cancelled this year, due to issues with obtaining the necessary permit from the Nevada BLM. It's too bad - I've considered attending this event, but just haven't gotten around to doing it. But, anyway, it won't be happening this year.
I just wanted to share this with everyone. Unfortunately, I think it's the sort of story that we'll be hearing more and more in the years to come.
Evan
*****************************************
All,
We have run into a huge problem with this year's Glitter Gulch Gambol.
Although we have pulled them same permit for the last 3 years from the Southern Nevada office of the Bureau of Land Management, this year they decided to give us an unusual hassle. Our permit has always cost us $90 to process upfront with a fee per registered vehicle or per person whichever is greater at conclusion of the event. We always anticipate at least 8 months to process the permit, so we usually start around March or April with the submittal (they technically ask for 6 months to process). This year started with our submittal on April 11, however, by the end of May, the folks at BLM told us our event was scheduled during prime tortoise mating season, so we agreed to push our date back (by this time we already had our ad going to print).
Things quickly deteriorated from here. BLM told us that we may run into additional expenses to process the permit, because they anticipated they would use more than their 50 hours of allotted base time. Any additional hours, plus any costs associated to perform field investigations would require additional permitting fees. We received a letter from them, stating we would incur those costs as they anticipated using 86 hours, but they did not give us a total cost. After discussions with their staff and the Las Vegas office manager, we received a letter on July 5 that we would need to pay $5500 to process the permit. With the typical 25 or so vehicles we have registered each year, that would be over $200 each just for the BLM. We have appealed this to both the Department of the Interior, and our Congressmen, but we do not believe we will get any resolve on this issue.
With that said, we will be officially canceling the Glitter Gulch Gambol this year. We have already incurred some costs, such as advertising, postage, and permitting that we will be eating, but we cannot justify spending anymore money at this point.
The irony of the whole issue, and part of our letter to our Congressman, is that this land is free to use by anyone at any time unless it is part of an organized event where registration will take place. Everyone in our club that I have talked to agrees that we should have an "unofficial" overnight, weekend trail run in the area sometime during late October or early November. It is a shame that we cannot enjoy our land, share it with others, and collect money for TLCA, Blue Ribbon, and the others to whom we donate.
I will be posting on IH8MUD, Pirate, and our website the cancellation notice. I will also field phone calls and emails.
I am so disappointed to do this.
Thanks,
John Day
