Larry-
I have spoken to the powers to be and have the names and phone numbers for the Mojave NPS, the Mojave Preserve Ranger and the BLM. There is a Mojave Preserve permit required by any group exceeding 7 vehicles or 15 people. I will handle the permit process myself. Based on the terminology used on the Mojave NPS website under the Commercial Use Authorization section I don't believe we fall under this category. However I suspect it will simplify the permit process, avoid the waivers and remove most concerns by the OAUSA board for future litigation if we enjoy this run as a group of friends and not under the OAUSA name. Since many of us belong to numerous forums this should not be a problem.
I would prefer to visit the preserve and run the Mojave Trail in smaller groups to avoid the pitfalls we all know come with traveling in large groups. Having the permit allows us to avoid any conflict with the park service should we choose to gather together during the day or camp together as one large group. The BLM has no group permit requirement but likes to be notified when large groups enter and exit their land so I will take care of that detail once a date is chosen.
Below is the Mojave NPS website link and the verbiage from the permit page.
http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm
Permits
Special Park Recreation Use Permit
A Special Park Recreation Use Permit is required for some activities within Mojave National Preserve. A non-refundable application fee is required from all applicants, regardless of whether or not the permit is issued. There are two fee categories, depending on the nature of the proposed activity:
Groups of at least 7 vehicles or 15 participants for common recreational activities (rock climbing, hunting, fishing or trapping, equestrian use, bicycling, street-legal motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle use, backcountry use and roadside vehicle camping).
Application Fee: $5o
Special park use requests including but not limited to: weddings, sporting events, ceremonies/gatherings, entertainment, and public spectator attractions.
Application Fee: $70
Proof of insurance and posting of a bond may also be required. For more information, call (760) 252-6107 or e-mail us.
Filming and Photography Permit
A Filming/Commercial Photography Permit is required for any filming or photography involving the use of sets, props or models, requiring entry into a closed area, or requiring access to the park after normal working hours. There is a permit for short productions with minimal equipment and few people and one for longer, more involved ones.
Application Fee: $100
Proof of insurance and posting of a bond may also be required. For more information, call (760) 252-6107 or e-mail us.
Commercial Use Authorization
A Commercial Use Authorization is required for business activities(e.g. marketing, advertisement, negotiation of compensation with the customer or the solicitation or receipt of money or other compensation) that take place outside the Park and provide visitor services in the Park. Businesses included in this program are operations that provide any or all goods, activities, services, agreements or other things offered to the general public which take place at least in part in the park, uses park resources, and is undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization, or corporation, whether or not such entity is organized for purposes recognized as non-profit under local, state or Federal law.
Application Fee: $100
For more information, call (760) 252-6107 or e-mail us.
Other Fees
In addition to the application fee, all special park uses are also associated with administrative processing fees and monitoring costs. The monitoring costs may vary accordingly with the activity in question.
Administrative Processing Fee: $155
Monitoring Costs: $50/hour, 2 hour minimum per even
Please let me know your thoughts.
