The U.S. Forest Service on Monday fixed its failed reservation system for trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), but ending what was a 33-day delay to the booking season didn't silence critics in the Ely area.
Outfitters, resort owners, guides and residents of canoe country say the online computer system still has flaws. In addition, some stakeholders continue to clamor for the return of a lottery system for the distribution of highly coveted permits that grant motorboat access to select corners of the wilderness.
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota, said he is still hearing cries of frustration from business owners and local residents who dislike the first-come, first-serve reservations system. Slower computer connections put them at a disadvantage in the race for high-demand BWCA trips, including canoe trips on popular lakes, at prime times, he said.
On Monday, the bulk of motorized permits were snapped up by online buyers in a flash.
"They were selling out pretty fast," said Kerry Davis, owner of White Iron Beach Resort in Ely. "If I was a wilderness guide and was trying to book trips for 15 clients, I would have gotten only a fraction of what I wanted."
Said Bob LaTourell, owner of LaTourell's Moose Lake Outfitters in Ely: "It's fair and equitable only if you are a computer whiz. By the time you figure it out, the permits are gone."
Stauber said the old BWCA lottery system gave outfitters a chance to attract customers by applying for permits on their behalf over a month's time. Not being able to provide that service is driving some BWCA regulars away, Stauber said.
"Outfitters are simply not happy with it," said Stauber, who has a bill in Congress to bring back the lottery. "It's hard on our economy and it's not right."