Costly change at BLM

The article “Dispute centers on wolverines” (Sept. 11) failed to mention the most important point in this debate, that the Bureau of Land Management changed course 180 degrees with respect to the Peak Adventures permit over eight months. This change will put Peak out of business and cost the owners their life savings.

Prior to purchasing Peak, the Stanleys investigated the viability of the business by asking Coeur d’Alene BLM field office director Eric Thomson if there were any issues that would result in the Peak permit to not be renewed. We were told that we were in good hands and that we should not worry about the reissuance of the permit.

Because Eric Thomson would make the final decision on the permit, we believed him and purchased Peak. After the 2010 winter season, we were informed that Eric had retired and his replacement, Kurt Pavlat, would not renew the permit. We were also told we had no legal recourse for the huge financial loss we would suffer due to this change of decision. Now, as evidenced by the article, the BLM is feeding false and deceptive information to the press in order to cover up their mistakes.

Ryan Stanley

Cataldo, Idaho