WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service following reports that the new online reservation system for distributing Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) permits experienced extreme technical difficulties yesterday. In the letter, the senators asked for immediate answers about what steps are being taken to address the problem.

“Over the past several months, we have heard from residents, tourists, and small businesses expressing concern as to how the transition from a lottery system to an online reservation system for several high-demand entry points on Moose and Fall Lakes would affect their ability to access the BWCAW,” the senators wrote. “This needs to be fixed. Please let us know how you in tend to address this problem immediately.”

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear Supervisor Cummins:

We write in response to reports that the new online reservation system for distributing Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) permits experienced extreme technical difficulties, resulting in the closure of the site and the delay of reservations for the upcoming summer season.

Over the past several months, we have heard from residents, tourists, and small businesses expressing concern as to how the transition from a lottery system to an online reservation system for several high-demand entry points on Moose and Fall Lakes would affect their ability to access the BWCAW. In response to these concerns, Forest Service officials have stated that the elimination of the lottery system would result in a more equitable and efficient process.

This needs to be fixed. Please let us know how you intend to address this problem immediately. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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