The dig permit that cost me a whole season in New Mexico
I'm not trying to badmouth the system, but it feels like the people making these calls have never spent a day in the dirt. The ranger was nice enough, gave me a card and said I could reapply, but that doesn't get my season back. We lost a full two weeks of dry weather that we won't get again until October. I've started asking around local universities for advisory help on the paperwork side, but they're just as swamped. If anyone knows a smoother path for small crews getting permits, I'd love to hear it before I waste another spring.
That really sucks, losing a whole season over paperwork has to sting. The permit side of things is a mess for small crews and I hope you find someone who actually knows the shortcuts.