Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
|
|
30-Year
Anniversary of the BWCAW Act
The
Boundary Waters was recognized for
recreational opportunities in 1926, named the Superior Roadless
Area in 1938, the BWCA in 1958, and federally designated under
The Wilderness Act in 1964. It wasn't until October 21, 1978,
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act was established
to provide specific guidance for managing the million plus
acres of the Superior National Forest.
The
BWCAW has changed little since the glaciers melted. With over
1,500 miles of canoe routes, nearly 2,200 designated campsites,
and more than 1,000 lakes and streams waiting, the BWCAW draws
over 250,000 visitors each year. As part of the Superior
National Forest, the BWCAW is managed by the US Forest Service.
|
National
Recreation Reservation System
The
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) joined
the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) in
1998. The NRRS is a partnership to provide "one-stop"
shopping for reservations for a wide range of recreation
facilities and activities on federal lands. The Agencies
participating in this contract are the Forest Service,
the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service,
the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation.
The NRRS performance based 10-year contract was renewed
in 10/2007 with ReserveAmerica as the service provider.
(MORE) |
|
Fees
to Change in 2008
Beginning
in 2008, permit fees for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
will be:
Adult per trip fee: $16.00
Youth per trip fee: $8.00
Adult Seasonal Fee Card: $64.00
Youth Seasonal Fee Card: $32.00
The
fee increase was approved by the Regional Forester, acting upon
the recommendation of the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory
Committee. This is the first increase in the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness (BWCAW) user fees in the 10 years since fees were
put into effect. The basis for the increase is an adjustment
for inflation (using the Consumer Price index) over the past ten
years with forward projections over the next five to ten years.
User
fees generated through this program come directly back to the Forest
and help to fund the wilderness management program, including staffing
with wilderness rangers, and funding campsite and portage maintenance,
permit issuance, and wilderness education programs.
(MORE)
NOTICE:
BWCAW reservations are now available through the new national campsite
reservation website www.recreation.gov
NEWS:
Special
concern: Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)
is an extremely serious viral disease of fresh and saltwater fish.
(link
to DNR site)
CURRENT
CLOSURES
|
