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GC Waiting List
The list is shut off, and will not be reinstated as such.
Instead, the National Park Service has published its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for transitioning to a lottery-based permitting system. All of the details of the transition and new permitting system are not as yet worked out. However, here's some information from a recent post by the Grand Canyon Private Boater's Association.
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"The access plan adopted by the NPS contains numerous features, among which are the following:
There is a near doubling (from 58,048 to 113,486) in the total user-days allocated for private trips.
The number of user-days for private boaters is now essentially the same as that of the commercial boating sector; this near 50/50 ratio will remain in place for the life of the plan.
There is a 97% increase (from 3,571 to 7,051) in number of private boaters able to access the river each year.
The total number of non-commercial annual launches is increased significantly-- from 240 to 503.
The total number of summer private launches is 185, a 43% increase.
There is a 52% increase (from 51,889 to 79,399) in the number of user-days allocated for private trips in the prime March-October season.
A new launch category of 8-person trips is established, which greatly increases (by 6,710 additional user-days) the number of private launches in most desirable season, and increases the ability of private boaters to use their 59% of the yearly allocation.
Launches are spread more evenly over seasons and the maximum number of daily launches is reduced from 9 to 6, favorably impacting crowding issues on the river.
The total number of non-summer/non-winter (shoulder season) private launches is 199, a 105% increase.
Winter use is expected to increase by about 1,855 people per year.
The maximum number of people on the river at any time is reduced from 1,095 to 981.
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The permitting plan adopted by the NPS contains numerous features, among which the following benefit most private boaters:
The current waiting list is extinguished, and a weighted lottery is created for the issuance of permits; the Hybrid Weighted Lottery has numerous features that will provide a more equitable method of competing for private river trips.
The new lottery system will provide additional chances (up to five on a sliding scale) for time that has passed since an applicant has made a GC river trip.
Each applicant will be given one additional chance for each year they had continuously competed in the lottery but had not been successful.
Lottery application procedures will contain elements that ensure that only serious applicants are entering the lottery.
The FEIS provides for complete replacement of the waitlist six months from start of implementation; all current list members will be give multiple options for a transition into either an actual trip date or a new eligibility category.
Within 5 years (by 2011), a large percentage of current waitlist members would have had the opportunity to schedule and take their trips.
Expanded use of the alternate trip leader concept should serve to reduce cancellations."
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