Cody entrepreneurs await permits

Over the past decade, many Park County entrepreneurs have sought permits from the Shoshone National Forest to help guide residents and tourists with activities like ice climbing, mountain biking and kayaking. But no new permits for such “nontraditional” outdoor recreation activities have been issued. Kenny Gasch, with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, has applied numerous times without success for a commercial permit to guide ice climbers, a technical and dangerous sport. Enthusiasts spend thousands of dollars each year on gear, lodging and guides in other places around the world, Gasch has said, and the Shoshone Forest southwest of Cody is among the best places in the United States to climb. On Tuesday, Root told Park County commissioners that the Shoshone Forest would be working throughout 2011 to complete a needs assessment, and might issue new permits based on the outcome of that process. Despite the delays, Gasch said Tuesday he was optimistic that commercial permits would eventually be issued for ice climbing and other nontraditional recreation activities...more

First application for a permit was in 2001. Ten years later they decide to do a "needs assessment."

The problem they all face is the word "commercial". Never a high priority for the Forest Service...not even when unemployment is hovering around 10 percent and everyone else is worried about creating jobs.

Community organizers might have some success. Maybe.