Commercial Use Authorization

 

The Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit program authorizes businesses to provide certain commercial services not typically provided by the concessioners within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Commercial Use Authorizations are two-year permits granted through the Business Management Office. Specific requirements for certifications and insurance must be met and maintained for the duration of the CUA.

“An Individual group, company, or other for-profit businesses play an important role in helping the National Park Service by providing commercial activities and visitor services in limited circumstances.”

What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)? It is a one-year business permit that authorizes a private person, corporation, or other entity that provides goods, or services to park visitors. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA) will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined an appropriate use of GLCA.
• will have minimal impact on GLCA’s resources and values; and
• are consistent with GLCA’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

CUAs are issued by the NPS pursuant to authorities contained in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 5.3 and the 16 U.S.C. 5966 (P.L. 105-391, Section 418).

 

Services Available In Glen Canyon

 

 

For Current CUA holders

All CUA Holders must fill out the following forms:
All services, these forms are necessary for your business operations: Visitor's Acknowledgement of Risk
plus one of the following:
Guided Services: Fishing-Lake Powell, Land Tours, Hiking, Photography, Hunting, Kayak/Canoe, Kayak/SUP, Scuba Instruction, Waterski Wakeboard Instruction: Guided Service Annual Report
Guided Colorado River Fishing and Backhaul: Guided Colorado River Services Annual Report
Private Vessel Services - Caretaking, Minor Repair, Launch and Retrieve, Marine Salvage: Vessel Service Annual Report
Commercial Vessel Services - Launch and Retrieve-Motorized Vessels, Launch and Retrieve - Human Powered Vessels: Commercial Vessel Service Annual Report
Retail Services - Mobile Food & Beverage Service: Retail Service Annual Report

Information for Commercial Tour Groups Entrance Fees in Glen Canyon.

 

Services Not Permitted

These types of commercial services are not offered through the CUA Program or authorized under any other permit from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area:

• Vessel Piloting Services (Pilot for hire of personal vessels or rental vessels)
• Commercial Boat Tours, to include, but not limited to, private boat charters and photography boat tours
• Delivery or pick-up of any out-of-park rentals, including, but not limited to, the following:
  • RVs
  • Houseboats
  • Camping Equipment or "Drop Camps"

Program Changes

Beginning with operations in calendar year 2020, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area CUA permits will convert back to 2-year CUA permits, with operating years from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021, Permit holders will be required to update CUA documents annually. Applications for CUA permits will be accepted at other times during the year, but all permits will expire on December 31, 2021. Application Fees for the first CUA Service Type will be $300 and each additional CUA type cost will be $100 for each year, regardless of when you apply.

Additional Information

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Revocation And Suspension Policy

The NPS may terminate a CUA upon violation of any of the CUA conditions or at the discretion of the Superintendent, at his or her discretion, may take actions other than those identified and retains the authority to immediately suspend, restrict or revoke a CUA or deny a future CUA application for reasons not covered in this policy memorandum. This policy memorandum is intended to provide guidance regarding the actions taken in the event of a permittee violation (as defined in this policy).

Pet Policy

We apologize for any inconvenience; we kindly remind all clients of Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit Holders that pets are not allowed on any CUA Trips. This policy is to protect the health and safety of all people in the area, as well as animals themselves.

It is important to abide by these rules, as animals are unpredictable and can cause harm to other individuals. It is also important to note that this rule applies to any kind of animals, such as domestic pets, wild animals, and exotic pets; excluded are service animals.

Definition of Service Animal: A service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

The service animals may accompany visitors with disabilities in areas of Glen Canyon open to the public.

Apply for a New Permit

The first step in obtaining a CUA is the submission of a CUA application request form (pdf file). For more information, please contact the Commercial Use Authorizations Coordinator at 928-608-6325 or email to [e-mail]

 

Market Price Fees

Gross Receipts	Market Price Fee
<$250,000	3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
$250,000 - $500,000	4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
>$500,000	5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)

Larger CUA business models will see lower application fees, but could see increased Management Fees based on the Market Price Fee Table.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CUA?

The Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit program authorizes businesses to provide certain commercial services not typically provided by concessioners within the boundaries of a unit of the National Park Service.

What are the different types of CUA fees?

There are two types of CUA fees. An Application Fee is a non-refundable fee assessed to recover administrative costs associated with reviewing and approving or denying applications for CUAs. The Management Fee is a type of fee to recover the actual costs incurred by all park divisions involved in support of the use, monitoring, clean-up, and restoration resulting from use. The Management Fee will be a “market price fee”, which is based on the percentage of gross receipts earned in-park or from park-dependent operations.

How has the park communicated these changes to existing CUA holders?

The Park introduced the changes to the CUA fee structure at the annual CUA meetings held in March, 2017. The Park provided nearly two years notice to companies operating under existing CUAs as changes will not be implemented until January 2019.

What is the timeline of requirements?

Due to the large volume of applications submitted to the park, a complete application packet must be received by November 15, 2023 in order to obtain a finalized CUA before January 1, 2024. Incomplete or late packets will not receive a CUA until after February 15, 2024. Regardless of when in 2024 a company wishes to operate in the park, a complete Annual Report including all financial reporting from 2023 must be received by January 30, 2024.

How will the NPS work with existing CUA holders?

As the new requirements are implemented, notifications will be posted on our website and mailed and e-mailed to existing CUA holders. The Park will work with CUA holders on a case-by-case basis to issue pro-rated, gap permits as needed to transition to a calendar-year permitting schedule.

What is the difference between a CUA and a Concessioner?

Commercial Use Authorizations may be issued only to authorize services that are determined to be an appropriate use of the park, will have minimal impact on park resources and values, and are consistent with the purpose for which the unit was established as well as all applicable management plans, park policies, and regulations. CUAs are not competitively awarded and are limited to what the economy can support unless specifically limited by the Park, are only two years in duration, and pay only Application and Management Fees.

Concession contracts are limited in number and scope, are competitively awarded, range from 10-20 years in length, and require the awardee to pay a Franchise Fee that is generally around 10%-15%. Concession contracts are limited to three category types: Category I contracts exist when a concessioner constructs capital improvements on park lands; Category II contracts exist when a concessioner operates on assigned land or in a government building but makes to construction or capital improvements to the property; and Category III contracts exist when the concessioner is assigned neither land nor buildings.

 

Road-based Commercial Tour CUAs (RBCT CUAs)

There is currently a moratorium on issuing RBCT CUAs. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area did not historically issue RBCT CUAs prior to May 28, 2020, therefore will not be issuing RBCT CUAs at this time. For updates visit the National Park Service's RBCT CUA page.

 

Learn more about CUAs

Commercial Use Authorizations in the National Park Service

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