BLM to audit commercial recreation use to ensure Idaho public receives fair deal
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho State Office recreation staff is auditing its commercial Special Recreation Permit (SRP) Program to ensure the American public receives fair market value from the use of its public lands.
SRPs are issued to businesses or organizations, which profit from the use of BLM-managed public lands and related waters for activities such as hunting, fishing and white-water rafting. The revenue generated from SRPs allows the BLM to hire seasonal employees to monitor permits, supplies to maintain facilities and infrastructure improvements that are utilized by outfitters and guides.
BLM Idaho Recreation Lead Shannon Bassista said the audit benefits the public by determining whether the BLM’s program is managed correctly. The auditor will review customer payments received by permit holders for goods and services for the use of BLM-managed public lands authorized by an SRP.
“Through this audit, we will see how efficiently the program is run and determine if there are under or over payments as a result of inaccurate fee calculations by the BLM, or as a result of underreporting by permit holders who operate on Idaho public lands,” said Bassista.
Periodic audits are conducted every five years. This review will cover the fiscal years 2022 through 2024. An independent contractor will conduct the audit, which is expected to be completed in June 2025. The last BLM Idaho audit was in 2019.
In addition to ensuring a reasonable deal for the public, audits also enable the BLM to assess best market practices and confirm a fair, equitable and consistent business environment for permit holders. Permit holders are audited on complexity of the permit, gross revenue and past performance. BLM will internally review any inconsistencies, if found, and create an action plan to correct.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.