Bishop sentenced for illegal outfitting

RIFLE — Mike Bishop, of Rifle, was sentenced in federal court on Aug. 5, after pleading guilty to an October 2006 offense of outfitting without the required BLM special recreation permit, a Class A misdemeanor.
Sentencing included five days in jail, paying $1,575 restitution to the BLM, forfeiture of all camp equipment seized in October 2006 by the BLM (several thousand dollar value), prohibition from using BLM public lands for three years except for access to his private property in the Piceance Basin, and a $1,000 fine.
This is the second time Bishop has pleaded guilty to this offense in federal court, the first for an offense in October 2000. BLM requires all backcountry guides to obtain a Special Recreation Permit for any commercial (for profit) activity on BLM lands. This permit is in addition to any licenses or permits that may be required by other state and federal agencies.