The Superior National Forest is examining the use of recreational commercial services provided on the forest. To fully understand all the issues, the forest will seek information from the public, special use permittees, partners, tribes, and others who use or have knowledge about recreational commercial services on the forest, who recreate on the forest, or who have other relevant concerns regarding recreation and recreational commercial uses offered on the forest.
The Forest Service is working to strike a balance between rural economic development and the effects of recreational commercial services across the forest. Our goal is to ensure future generations will continue to enjoy these national treasures. Recreational commercial services provide opportunities for visitors to recreate on the forest by employing the expertise and equipment provided by an outfitter-guide service.
While these actions are required under a settlement agreement with Wilderness Watch Inc, the Forest Service is taking a broader look at commercial recreation services across the Superior National Forest.
In 2015, the organization sought a federal court order seeking to limit commercial towboat use on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Forest Service determined that a more holistic examination would better serve the public and the forest. As such, the forest is examining recreational commercial services provided across the forest.
The forest is committed to a transparent process and will be hosting two open houses where the public can view documents and maps. Attendees will be asked to provide information about which types of recreational commercial services they use, where they use those services on the forest, and what additional recreational services they believe the Forest Service should encourage and permit.
The open house in Cook County is scheduled for 4:30-7 p.m., September 26, 2019 at the Cook County courthouse, 411 W. Second St., Grand Marais.
Information about the Recreational Commercial Services Needs Assessment is available on the Superior National Forest website at www. fs.usda.gov/superior. The information includes a draft Needs Assessment, maps and a public comment form.
This process helps keep our national forests productive and sustainable by ensuring permitted services are performed in a way that protects the forest resources and wilderness character.
The 3-million-acre Superior National Forest includes nearly 700 square miles of surface water and the 1-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the largest and only wilderness of substantial size east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Everglades. It is also one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the U.S.
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