Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Commercial Use Authorization Update

2018 Letter to CUA Holders and Applicants


Dear Commercial Use Authorization Holders and Applicants:

In fall 2018, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve will be making new administrative changes to the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) program.

Starting on November 1, 2018, all applications, permit issuance, and payment processing will be completed directly through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Commercial Services. Beginning at this time, the National Park Service (NPS) Alaska Regional Office will no longer accept CUA applications for Glacier Bay.

Also, effective in 2019, CUAs for Charter Vessel services will no longer be issued. NPS has designated Charter Vessel services as "necessary and appropriate" for Glacier Bay National Park; they are now permitted under the authority of Concession Contracts.

Another important note for Kayak operators: CUAs for Kayak services will only be offered for one more year (2019). Like Charter Vessel services, NPS has recently designated Kayak services as "necessary and appropriate" for Glacier Bay National Park and starting in 2020, they will be permitted under the authority of Concession Contracts.

Important information about Glacier Bay CUA Program:

Applications

Applications will be submitted directly to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve for Glacier Bay specific CUAs. Approved Commercial Services for Glacier Bay CUA’s include:

  • Air Taxi Service

  • Boating Trips (Glacier Bay Preserve only)

  • Group Camping (Bartlett Cove Campground Only)

  • Guided Alsek River Rafting

  • Guided Day Hiking (Bartlett Cove Developed Area Only)

  • Guided Kayaking

  • Guided Mountaineering

  • Guided Overnight Backcountry

  • Guided Photography

  • Guided Sport fishing (Marine and freshwater authorized only in Glacier Bay National Preserve. All other sportfishing activities within Glacier Bay National Park waters, outside of the preserve, are only authorized under the Charter Vessel Concessions Contracts).

  • Guided Winter Backcountry (includes Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking on snow)

  • Passenger Ferry

  • Vehicle Transportation Services (ATV Ground Transportation Services in Dry Bay related to Alsek River Rafting trips)

Note: Charter Boat and Sportfishing outside of the Preserve are now only authorized under Concession Contracts and CUA permits will no longer be issued for these services.

Businesses applying for CUAs at other Alaska National Parks will continue to apply through the Alaska Regional Office.

Types of CUAs

There are two general types of commercial services that may be authorized by a CUA:

  • In-park services. “In-park services” refers to an operation with annual gross receipts of not more than $25,000 from commercial services originating and provided solely within a park area.

  • Out-of-park services. “Out-of-park “services” refers to the incidental use of park area resources by operations that provide commercial services originating and terminating outside of the park area (or within an inholding). A CUA of this type may not authorize solicitation of customers, sales, or payment for commercial services to take place within the park area; all of these activities must occur outside of the park area (or within an inholding). Unlike a CUA for in-park services, there is no cap on the annual gross receipts that may be generated by the authorized services under an out of-park CUA.

Application Period

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve has adopted the same application period as the Alaska Regional Office. The application period for all Glacier Bay CUAs is November 1 to April 30. CUA applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Fees

Businesses may apply for a CUA with multiple services and must pay a one or two year Application Fee and Management Fee. For Alsek River Rafting; a monitoring fee will also be charged based on number of clients served.

2019 Glacier Bay Commercial Use Authorization Fee Schedule

Application Fee - Due along with Application
One Year CUA-$200 Two Year CUA-$300

Management Fee - Due along with Application
One Year CUA-$100 Two Year CUA-$200

Monitoring Fee for Alsek River Rafting - Due November 15
Greater of $1000 or $32 USD per person

More changes, such as being able to apply and pay for permits on online, will be coming in the following months. We also have a new CUA web page, https://www.nps.gov/glba/getinvolved/commercial-use-authorizations- cuas.htm with useful links and information for CUA holders; check it out.

For new applicants, welcome and thank you for joining in our efforts to provide meaningful experiences in Glacier Bay. For those of you returning, welcome back and thank you for your continued contributions to that effort. If you have any questions or wish for more information, we are happy to help. Please email e-mail us or call 907-697-2688.

Sincerely,

Joni Seay
Chief of Commercial Services
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Last updated: September 13, 2018

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