The Wrangell Ranger District reported Tuesday that permits for the upcoming visiting season at Anan Wildlife Observatory will become available next week.
Managed by the United States Forest Service, the observatory is among Wrangell’s top visitor attractions. Its main attraction is its brown and black bear population, which congregate at the nearby stream during the late summer to feed on returning salmon. For local guides and outfitters the display draws visitors from around the world each summer. In a 2015 economic study conducted for the city, consultants found Anan’s economic impact in Wrangell to draw in around $1.5 million.
During the observatory’s busiest season, visitation is limited to 60 people per day between July 5 and August 25 and all visitors must have a permit. The Forest Service portions out a percentage of each year’s 3,120 permits between commercial and private users. Currently 20 authorized guiding outfits divide 36 daily permits between themselves during the season, with allotments based on historical use. A lottery to allocate the most competitive days was held on October 15, with a commercial calendar set up by November 1.
For most of the remaining permits, starting February 1 at 8 a.m. members of the public will be able to reserve themselves permits on http://www.Recreation.gov. There are 20 private permits available each day to book in advance, and reservations and payment may be completed online. In addition to the $10 fee for each permit there is an additional $10 transactional fee to make a reservation. Transactions can also be made by calling 1-877-444-6777.
A remaining four daily permits will be made available on a weekly lottery basis to accommodate last-minute planning. All lottery requests must be made in person at the district’s front desk.
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