SEKI Commercial Services Bulletin
Welcome to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks E-Newsletter!
As we begin phased implementation of the Wilderness Stewardship Plan, we'll keep you up-to-date on the changes planned and when they will be implemented through this newsletter.
Information for All Commercial Use Operators
Annual Reporting, CUA Permits and Fee Changes for 2016
- Now Available: For those interested in operating within SEKI for 2016, the 2016 CUA Permit Applications can be found on our website at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/permits.htm . There you'll find the CUA Application, Application Instructions, Supplemental Application Form, as well as other helpful links and documents to help you plan and report your activities within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this year.
- A reinstatement of the $50 Application Fee began in January 2016 for CUA Permits to reflect the costs associated with reviewing applications. A CUA Application must be submitted with payment before your application will be reviewed.
- Entrance fees as well as certain campground camping fees are increasing in 2016. As of January 1, 2016, a single vehicle 7-Day pass has increased from $20 to $30. Information on fee changes for entrance and camping fees can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/news/Increase-of-Entrance-Wilderness-and-Camping-Fees.htm.
Activities for 2016 and Monthly Reports
- Per the Wilderness Stewardship Plan, additional activities have been determined to be appropriate for commercial use within Wilderness and will be phased in over the next few years.
- As of 2016, CUAs will be available for Guided Fishing Instruction and Guided Photography Workshops within SEKI wilderness areas. Previous Terms and Conditions have been revised to incorporate the new usages along with additional restrictions and will be available to those operators interested in expanding their activities within SEKI.
- The activities approved for the the parks for 2016 are as follows:
-Guided Day Hiking
-Guided Backpacking
-Guided Mountaineering
-Guided Backcountry Ski Mountaineering
-Guided Nordic Activities (Snowshoeing & Skiing)
-Guided Pack and Saddle Stock Services
-Guided Fishing Instruction ***Now allowed in Wilderness Areas!***
-Guided Photography Instruction (workshop)***Now allowed in Wilderness Areas!***
- To learn more about these new activities, contact the Commercial Services office at (559)-565-4235 or contact us at seki_concessions@nps.gov.
- Reporting: Monthly Use Reports have been simplified and will now be available in both the traditional Excel format as well as an online form to streamline the reporting process. Guided Pack and Saddle Stock operators will use the same form as non-stock operators along with a separate form required for grazing reporting purposes. All forms will be available at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/permits.htm.
Changes in Usage for 2016
- All changes for 2016 that apply to visitors will also apply to commercial operators with additional requirements. You can find a summary of notable changes at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/20151030_Public-Notice_Changes-in-Wilderness-Mgmt-Doc_UpdatedFinal-2.pdf.
- Commercial Service Day Allocations: while CSD Allocations won't be phased in until 2017 at the earliest, it's important to note that limits will be set for Wilderness-Wide and for the Whitney Management Area specifically. For more information on this determination, access Appendix B at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=342&projectID=33225&documentID=65018.
Wilderness Permits and Notable Changes for Commercial Services Operating in the Wilderness
Permit Information
- Permits are required for all overnight wilderness trips within SEKI.
- Information on how to obtain a permit during the quota period (May 27, 2016 to September 24, 2016) can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/wilderness_permits.htm.
- To apply for a permit in advance, fill out a Wilderness Permit Application and submit it by fax or mail along with the appropriate fees. Applications are processed in the order they are received starting March 1st at 12:01am. Reservations must be made no later than 2 weeks prior to the trail. A Wilderness Permit Application can be accessed at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/2016-Wilderness-permit-application-Final.pdf.
- Locations for obtaining a permit outside of the quota period are free, self-issued, and not limited to daily entry quotas. Self-issue permit stations are available 24 hours/day at the following locations:
- Permits will continue to be issued the day of your hike during normal operating hours or after 1pm the afternoon prior to your hike and must be picked up at the issuing station closest to your trailhead.
*Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove
*Giant Forest Museum
*South Fork Campground
*Foothills Visitor Center
Planning Your Trip
With over 800 miles of trails within SEKI with such diverse landscapes, it can be a daunting task creating the guiding trip that's right for you and your clients. Here are a few tools to help you get started:
- A great resource when planning a trip into SEKI's wilderness areas is the 2016 Wilderness Trip Planner: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/2016-Wilderness-Trip-Planner-Final.pdf. You'll find information on trails, Minimum Impact Restrictions, Leave No Trace principles and more!
- Plan ahead and reserve your permit in advance! Reservation availability by trailhead can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/reservation-availability.htm.
- Seasonally updated trail condition information can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/trailcond.htm or contact the Wilderness Office at 559-565-3766.
- Keep informed of the latest park weather by accessing http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/currentcond.htm and keep apprised of current road conditions by calling the park at 559- 565-3341.
- If you're planning a trip utilizing stock, additional information can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/stockuse.htm.
Changes for Operators for 2016
- Starting in 2016, permits during the quota period will be $10 per permit plus a $5 per person wilderness permit fee and applies to both reserved and walk-up permits.
- Changes include: campfire limits, party size limits, camping/campsites and night limits, requirement of a Special Use Permit for permanent fixed anchor placement.
- Stock use-specific changes include new meadow closures, specific adjustments in head and night limits, and feed restrictions for stock.
- A summary of notable changes for visitors can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/20151030_Public-Notice_Changes-in-Wilderness-Mgmt-Doc_UpdatedFinal-2.pdf.
- Additional information on the Wilderness Stewardship Plan can be found at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=342&projectID=33225&documentID=65018.
Connect with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
With over 800 miles of trails and wildly different ecosystems, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent a diverse landscape that is both rich in cultural and natural history.
Email: seki_concessions@nps.gov
Website: http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/permits.htm
Location: 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA, United States
Phone: 559-565-4235
Facebook: facebook.com/SequoiaKingsNPS
Twitter: @sequoiakingsnps