[From Tom Coombe, Ely Echo, Verbatim]
After another false start, BWCAW permits are slated to be available Monday, when a highly-scrutinized and maligned online reservation system goes line. Barring another last-minute delay, the highly-coveted permits will be available starting at 9 a.m. Monday on the website www.recreation.gov.
It’s the third attempt in a new effort to distribute permits to the wilderness area near Ely.
A first failed in a matter of minutes on Jan. 30, and plans for a Feb. 27 launch were scrapped last week.
As of Thursday’s Echo deadline, there were no indications that there would be another delay, and Forest Service officials announced in late February that they were taking numerous steps to ensure the system’s success.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R) added another wrinkle to the debate this week, introducing legislation that would require the Forest Service to return to a lottery system for permit distribution in 2020.
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