River News Jan 3, 2025
We wanted to take a moment to update you on changes to the Regulations published
end of December 2024 and GCPBA’s position on the proposed fee increase.
Definition of a Noncommercial River Trip
Per GCPBA’s request, the paragraph, which referred to equal sharing of trip costs, planning, etc. has now been dropped. Although rare, the enforcement of this paragraph caused serious consequences for one party as reported in our recent Fall/Winter 2024 newsletter.
PATL
The updated lottery requirements now allow lottery applicants to submit one application in their own name and also be listed as a PATL on another person’s application in the same lottery. Although not explicitly stated, when listing a PATL, the minimum number of points criteria still applies. This is a major change in the regulations and warrants a little background and discussion.
GCPBA has worked with the Permits Office on this change for a number of years. The Board debated this change and agreed to lend support for approval by the Regional Office. The reason for the modification is to lessen the Park’s stated 30% to 50% cancellation rate. GCPBA’s analysis of historic data finds the rate closer to 50%.
In order to increase the odds by submitting two applications, the vast majority of lottery applications have not listed a PATL. By listing a PATL, you were essentially buying insurance at the cost of reducing your chances of winning. This tradeoff is now eliminated. Will this modification lower the cancellation rate, provide more flexibility and result in a greater number of lottery applications? Hard to say.
The hard fought effort to increase the number of permits for the private boating community culminated in the 2006 Colorado River Management Plan. Full use of the 503 permit allocation has steadily increased by 1) GCPBA recommending the Park conduct follow up lotteries of cancelled dates; 2) and adding the option of transferring the permit to family members.
GCPBA also explored increasing the $25 application fee with the Permits Office to dissuade applications submitted on a whim resulting in a cancellation. This fee cannot be increased as it would exceed that cost of funding the Permits Office – segue the next topic:
Proposed Fee Increase
The NPS’ news release (https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/newsreleases.htm) announced a proposal to increase the $90 fee to $310 for trip participants. The $25 application fee is unchanged. GCPBA supports this proposal – not happily, but we realize it is necessary. The change is effective March 1, 2025.
In past meetings with Park, the inadequate Congressional funding is often cited. lt was again brought up during our Sept 2024 meeting. As a cost cutting measure, it may come to pass that the lottery will be transferred to Rec.gov at some later date. We dread that day and will lobby vigorously to stop the transfer – one reason for supporting the fee increase!
Lastly, to our Facebook group members; we are volunteers and do all the pick and shovel work to run a non-profit and support it financially as well – we squeak by. We do this to advocate for you and the entire private boating community by working collaboratively with the Park. As such, we ask for your support by giving a modest donation or becoming a GCPBA member – please visit the store at gcpba.org to do so. Thank you.
As always, you can email us at gcpbamail@gmail.com for any comments or questions.
John Vrymoed, President
Grand Canyon Private Boaters’ Association