Commercial Use Authorization Stipulations

2024 Park Specific Stipulations - Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

4175 Geist Road - Fairbanks, AK 99709 - 907-457-5752 phone - 907-455-0601 fax

The following specific provisions (in addition to the National and Regional Conditions of the Authorization), are applicable to those commercial activities and areas authorized through a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA):

1. VOLUNTARY TRIP REPORT
All holders either dropping off clients or starting a guiding trip in the preserve area are asked to encourage their clients to call the Eagle National Park Service Office to receive current safety information on the water conditions of the Charley River. Holders are also encouraged to distribute voluntary trip reports to clients prior to departure. The voluntary trip report includes names of individuals, point of departure, destination, type/color of vessel, type/color of shelter, emergency contact numbers, and expected completion date.

Yukon-Charley will mail these packets to holders for distribution. Packets will include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for clients to mail to the preserve upon trip completion. Clients may contact the National Park Service via telephone at 907-547-2233, fax at 907-547-2247 or mail at Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, P.O. Box 167, Eagle, Alaska 99738.

2. CULTURAL RESOURCE ORIENTATION
Prior to entering the field, all holders must undergo a cultural resource orientation describing the historic properties present in the parks, and the laws and regulations protecting them. In addition, the holder will receive Cultural Resource brochures that can be made available to their clients to further educate park visitors. Please contact NPS Archeologist Hilary Hilmer at [e-mail] or 907-455-0634.

3. AIR TAXI SERVICE (HELICOPTER)
ANILCA allows for helicopter access for recreational use of the Upper Charley River watershed:

• The following areas do not require a permit from the Superintendent for recreational use: Upper Charley River watershed south of the Copper Creek and Crescent Creek confluence.

• All other helicopter landings in the preserve require a permit from the Superintendent.

4. AIR TAXI (ALL)
The Holder is requested to adhere to the following procedures:

• Maintain a lateral distance of at least ½ mile from wildlife, nesting waterfowl, persons, structures, and/or river bluffs (which may be nesting sites for peregrine falcons).

• Maintain a flight altitude of at least 2000 feet AGL.

5. AIR TAXI AND TRANSPORTER OVERFLIGHTS
Prior to dropping off clients for float trips, Air Taxi operators, Big Game Transporters, and Incidental Hunt Transporters, and their clients MUST overfly the Charley River within the vicinity of the drop off location to assess current water levels and discuss expectations to prevent unnecessary search and rescue operations.

6. AIR TAXI AND TRANSPORTER REPORTING
Further to Interior Region 11 Reporting Condition #15, Air Taxi operators, Big Game Transporters, and Incidental Hunt Transporters must include GPS coordinates for the drop off and pick up locations of clients, equipment, and each species harvested (if applicable). GPS coordinates must be accurate to within ¼ mile of the actual landing location. The holder must report all transportation, including transportation provided to hunters, their equipment or game. Big Game Transporters must also enter corresponding State of Alaska Big Game Commercial Services Board Transporter Activity Report numbers in the Visitor Use Reporting system (VURn).

Further to Interior Region 11 Reporting Condition #15, all licensed Big Game Transporters must submit copies of their State of Alaska Big Game Commercial Services Board Transporter Activity Reports. Reports must be submitted to [e-mail] on or before November 15^th. **See definition below for Incidental Big Game Transporter.

7. RIVER TRIPS
Charley River float trips are limited to a total party size of 12 persons including guides and assistants. For the safety of visitors, it is strongly recommended to file a Voluntary Float Plan with the preserve and a friend. To file a float plan, contact the Eagle visitor center at [phone].

8. FOOD STORAGE
Adequate precautions shall be taken to guard against human/bear encounters. Unattended food caches are not permitted, except when they are associated with an on-going trip and/or occupied campsite or secured in a bear resistant manner. Unattended food and garbage must be properly secured from bears and other wildlife by using National Park Service (NPS) approved bear resistant food containers; suspending items at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet horizontally from a tree trunk; or by other techniques subject to NPS approval. Approved bear resistant food containers for Federal Lands can be found at http://www.igbconline.org/html/container.html. Other types of containers may be approved following inspection by the NPS.

9. WINTER TRIPS
The following provisions apply to commercial winter activities:

• The use of a snowmobile is permitted when it accompanies guided clients on winter dog sled trips for safety and logistical support; i.e. hauling gear or sick/injured clients, or breaking trail for a dog team. The permit holder may also request to use snowmobiles to break or set trail prior to conducting guided dog sled trips; with the dates, route, and number of machines used subject to the expressed approval of the Park Superintendent. This practice is limited to a maximum of one time per season. Snowmobiles providing logistical support for commercial dog sled trips may only be operated by employees of the permit holder and must use routes where sufficient snow cover exists to prevent vegetation damage and minimize personal safety hazards. Snowmobile use is not permitted for the support of other commercial winter activities, i.e. cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountaineering, or snowmobile tours.

• Sled dogs will be staked out on a picket cable or similar gangline, and not tied individually to trees.

• All dog straw must be certified weed free.

10. HUMAN WASTE
Human body wastes shall be disposed of further than 100 feet from a water source, high water mark of a body of water, or a campsite [36 CFR 2.14]. Solid human waste should be deposited in a small cathole (6-8” deep) whenever possible or covered by snow in winter. All toilet paper should be burned or packed out. Dog waste must be scattered at least 100 feet from water sources (lakes, streams, and rivers).

**Definition: Incidental Big Game Transporter – taken from State of Alaska Statutes and Regulations for Big Game Guides and Transporters ( Sec. 08.54.790) “Incidental” means transportation provided to a big game hunter by an air taxi operator or air carrier who does not charge more than the usual tariff or charter rate for the carriage of big game hunters, their equipment, or big game animals harvested by hunters; or advertise transportation services or big game hunting services to the public; in this subparagraph, “advertise” means soliciting big game hunters to be customers of an air taxi operator or air carrier for the purpose of providing air transportation to, from, or in the field through the use of print or electronic media, including advertising at trade shows, or the use of hunt broker services or other promotional services.