Rep. Stauber urges passage of LOTTERY Act following BWCA reservation snafu
Jul 11, 2019 07:29PM ● By Editor
From CBS News 3 Duluth - June 11, 2019
From CBS News 3 Duluth - June 11, 2019
There’s a push in the nation’s capitol to revert the Boundary Waters Canoe Area reservation back to a lottery system.
When the US forest Service switched to a first-come, first serve basis on January 30, the reservation website crashed moments after going live.
It then happened again on a second attempt a month later.
The crash impacted a number of outfitters and resorts. One small business lost about $15,000 in income, according to Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN 8th).
On Thursday, in front of a congressional panel, Stauber urged the passage of his bill dubbed “Letting Outdoor Tourism Thrive for Every Recreation Yearly” – or the LOTTERY Act.
“It simply directs the secretary of agriculture to return to the lottery system that worked for the BWCA on recreation.gov,” Stauber said. “I introduced this bill after holding multiple round table and listening sessions in the area ensuring cooperatives and outdoor enthusiasts were able to offer input.”
Stauber also called on Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith to introduce a senate version of the bill.
