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FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS







SPECIAL USE PERMITS FOR OUTDOOR CLUBS
1995 FWOC Resolution No. 19:

The U.S, Forest Service is attempting to require that outdoor clubs that may be conducting recreational and training activities in national forests and wilderness areas obtain commercial outfitter/guide special use permits.  This requirement raises serious concerns for such outdoor clubs for the following reasons.
1.  Any non-profit outdoor club operating under a commercial special use permit could bring the status of non-profit organizations into question with the Internal Revenue Service.
2.  Non-profit organizations may provide volunteer leadership for that club's outdoor activities.  These are "cooperative adventures" with all the attendees sharing in the overall cost as well as the risks inherent in the activity.  Such club activities are not a "guide service" by any definition.  The clubs do not assume the same level of responsibility for participants in the activities that a commercial guide service would assume for their pay-for hire clients.  Note also that clubs operating under a special use permit that is designed specifically for the organizations that provide for-hire guide service for clients may mislead participants in activities sponsored by non-profit outdoor organizations, and create additional (and totally unnecessary) legal liabilities.
3.  Several national forests and national parks have taken steps to restrict the activities of organizations operating under such outfitter/guide permits.  For example: the Mount St. Helens National Monument does not allow outfitter/guide organizations to weekend lead climbs there.

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs supports cooperative partnerships between federal land managers to promote safe and environmentally-sound practices in national forests and wilderness lands.
The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs opposes the requirement that non-profit outdoor clubs must acquire commercial outfitter/guide permits in order to conduct educational and other club activities on public lands.
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FWOC members and member clubs have a vital interest in this issue!  They are urged to send a copy of the Resolution together with comments of their own they may have on this issue  to the Chief, U.S.F.S., Chief, U.S. Park Service, and to their state's congressional representatives.




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