Here is the skinny - straight from Rob White at the AHRA - the latest and greatest - some changes since the Feb 13 meeting -
Integrated Concept Plan
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - 02/12/04
The below noted information consists of an Integrated Concept Plan (ICP) to provide assistance in resolving a number of Private Boat and Special Use Agreement issues that have been brought to the attention of Colorado State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management.
Reduction of Commercial Boat Per Day (bpd) Carrying Capacities
Browns Canyon (Section 2 B) – Reduce Commercial Capacity on weekends & holidays from 450 bpd to 360 bpd.
Rationing will be implemented only on those days where bpd capacities are reached or exceeded; other days in Section 2 B will not be Rationed until those days reach or exceed bpd capacity. Rationed Days currently allocated at 450 bpd will remain allocated at 450 bpd until Demand dictates the elimination of those Rationed Days in Section 2 B. "Retroactive Rationing" of commercial use will not be used.
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Parkdale (Section 4 B) - Reduce Commercial Capacity on weekends & holidays from 300 bpd to 240 bpd. This 60 bpd reduction will be available for commercial use on Rationed Days on weekends & holidays in Section 4 B when the Royal Gorge (Section 5) is under a High Water Advisory from AHRA. Rationing will be implemented only on those days where bpd capacities are reached or exceeded; other days in Section 4 B will not be Rationed until those days reach or exceed bpd capacity. Rationed Days currently allocated at 300 bpd will remain allocated at 300 bpd until Demand dictates the elimination of those Rationed Days in Section 4 B. "Retroactive Rationing" of commercial use will not be used.
The plan provides for an initial reduction in Commercial Capacity during the high-use season in Section 4 B, from 300 bpd to 240 bpd on weekends and holidays. This section capacity, at the discretion of the AHRA managers, can potentially increase to 270 bpd and then 300 bpd, or go to 300 bpd without an incremental increase once the following condition is met:
- There are 21 or more Rationed Days in Section 4 B.
Effective Time Period: 05/15 - 09/07
Increase in Commercial Boat Per Day (bpd) Carrying Capacities
Numbers (Section 1 C) – Increase Commercial Capacity on all days from 60 bpd to 90 bpd. The 30 bpd increase in Commercial Capacity will be restricted to 10 bpd increments and only allowed if the following conditions, as outlined in the Arkansas River Recreation Management Plan, can be met:
- Existing facilities can be expanded to accommodate the increase in commercial boating traffic/use;
- Additional resource degradation does not occur with the preceding incremental increase;
- Increases in conflicts between user groups do not occur with the preceding incremental increase.
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Adjustment of Commercial Launch Window
Numbers (Section 1 C) – Adjust Commercial Launch Window from 8:30 am – 11:00 am to 8:30 am – 2:00 pm.
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Reduction in Private Boat Per Day (bpd) Carrying Capacities
Numbers (Section 1 C) – Reduce Private Capacity on all days from 350 bpd to 320 bpd. Such reduction will only occur if and when there is a corresponding increase in Commercial Capacity.
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Increase in Private Boat Per Day (bpd) Carrying Capacities
Browns Canyon (Section 2 B) – Increase Private Capacity on weekends & holidays from 150 bpd to 240 bpd. In order to reduce potential user conflicts and/or congestion at the Hecla Junction Recreation Site, AHRA staff will take the following mitigating actions:
- Install signage at Browns Canyon put-in locations encouraging private boaters to launch prior to or after commercial launch times. Specifically, such signage will encourage private boaters to launch after 3:00 PM.
- Expand the Inflating/Deflating Beach Area for private boaters.
- Improve and/or expand parking facilities where possible.
- Station park staff at the boat ramp during peak use times to assist with congestion and traffic control.
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Private Boat Permit System
Work with Private Boat Permit Planning Team to establish a working framework for an AHRA Private Boat Permit System. The Private Boat Permit System, if and when established for Browns Canyon, will designate 40 bpd to be launched after 3:00 PM.
Minimum Fee
The purpose of the Minimum Fee is to recover those fixed costs associated with managing Special Use Agreements within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
Increase Minimum Fee for Special Use Agreements/Boating from the current $400 per year to $1,500 per year. The increase will be phased in over a three-year period. In 2004 the increase will be from $400 to $700. In 2005 the increase will be from $700 to $1,200. In 2006 the increase shall be from $1,200 to $1,500.
Increase Minimum Fee for Special Use Agreements/Non-Boating from the current $250 per year to $500 per year.
The increase will be phased in over a three-year period. In 2004 the increase will be from $250 to $330. In 2005 the increase will be from $330 to $410. In 2006 the increase will be from $410 to $500.
Minimum Per Client Fee
Establish Minimum Per Client Fee for Special Use Agreements/Boating – 5.25% of Gross with a minimum of $2.00 Per Client (Equivalent to current AHRA Individual Pass Fee).
Agreement Transfer Incentive
$5,000 Agreement Transfer Fee if Boating Agreement is Transferred.
$0 Agreement Transfer Fee if Boating Agreement is Retired (Use Transferred).
$500 Agreement Transfer Fee if Non-Boating Agreement is Transferred.
Minimum Operating Requirement
Establish a 3-year Minimum Operating Requirement prior to transfer of Special Use Agreement/Boating.
Agreement retired if Minimum Operating Requirement is not executed.
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