PROJECT MILESTONES:
December 22, 2025: The December 11 Decision Record was removed and replaced with the one signed Dec 22.
The
December 11 version of the Decision Record contained a grammatical error that
has been corrected in this version with strikethrough text and bold
underlined and highlighted text replacing two instances of the word “or” with “and” on page 2 of the Decision Record.
December 11, 2025: Final EA, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Decision Record posted
August 27 - September 25, 2025 Preliminary EA Public Comment Period
The 30-day public comment period for the Preliminary EA is available until September 25, 2025. Please review the EA and the "How to submit a substantive comment" documents below. When you are ready to comment, you may click on the green button and submit your comment. Thank you for engaging on this project!
October 4, 2024 - December 31, 2024: Special Recreation Permit Application Window
On Friday, October 4, The BLM special recreation permit window opened for the Thompson Pass and Valdez heliski special recreation permits. BLM has authorized heliski operators to offer services on approximately 150,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands since 2005. Any existing operators wishing to renew, asn well as any new operators, are required to submit their complete SRP application package by December 31, 2024, to be considered for the next 10-year permit period of 2026 through 2035. SRP applications must be submitted through the Recreation and Permit Tracking Online Reporting (RAPTOR) system. For more information on RAPTOR, SRPs, and how to apply, please visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/special-recreation-permits.
Timely receipt of these SRP applications, along with the scoping comment received last spring, will assist the BLM in drafting an Environmental Assessment (EA) available for public review and comment in 2025. This EA will consider the issuance of SRPs for heliskiing on BLM-managed public lands in the Thompson Pass, Valdez, and Tiekel Block areas for the next 10-year period. Approved SRPs will be authorized in early 2026 for heliski operations to begin that year.
This new application window will:
- Improve the BLM’s ability to complete this environmental review in a timely manner by consolidating application review for a similar activity and area;
- Ensure consistent and efficient processing of applications, given increasing demands for similar services and areas of operation; and
- Enable the BLM to continue effective management of this commercial recreation activity.
March 14, 2024: Valdez Civic Center In-person public scoping meeting held 5:30pm - 9:00pm
On March 14, all the In-Person Valdez Public Meeting scoping materials were made available on the "documents" page. The materials included the presentation PowerPoint, public scoping summary document, and maps that were available at the meeting so others who could not attend also had references.
April 12, 2024: 30-day Public Scoping Comment Period Ended
The scoping period provided the public the opportunity to submit ideas, comments, and concerns for the BLM to consider when developing the Environmental Assessment (EA). A summary of the scoping effort will be available in the future EA released for public review and comment. During this public scoping period, the public was encouraged to consider the following questions when providing input to BLM:
- What activities do you participate in on these BLM managed lands during the months of February through May?
- What opportunities would you like to have available on these BLM managed lands during the months of February through May?
- Have you experienced any issues or user conflicts on these BLM managed lands? Please explain.
- To what extent should existing commercial heli ski permits be modified, enhanced, and/or expanded?
- What limitations and restrictions, if any, are needed and why?
WINTER 2025 - EA DEVELOPMENT
Based on the timely receipt of new or renewing heli-ski permit applications for 2026-2035 operations, the BLM aims to have an Environmental Assessment (EA) and unsigned Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) available for public comment during the Winter 2025.
SPRING/SUMMER 2025 - EA PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
FALL 2025 - SIGN EA DECISION
JANUARY 2026 - Authorize operators for 2026- 2035 ten year permit period
Commercial Helicopter skiing tour operators would be authorized for up to a ten year period from 2026 - 2035. New operators would be authorized an initial on-year permit with the option to renew pending performance and compliance, for an additional 9 years. Previous operators renewing their permit would continue to be authorized annually based on annual performance and compliance for the ten year period. Annual permit renewal would not require further NEPA, as long as authorized activities remain the same as analyzed in this EA.
