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FAQs -Frequently asked Questions
What Are Special Use Authorizations?
A special use authorization is a legal document such as a permit, lease, or easement that grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use subject to specified terms and conditions on National Forest land. The use and occupancy maybe for a one-day event such as a wedding or bicycle race or 20 years such as a recreation residence permit.
Why Do I Need a Permit (Authorization)?
As a steward of the National Forests, the Forest Service has a duty to manage and protect natural resource values, public health, and safety and be consistent with the Land and Resource Management Plan goals. To meet these objectives, permits (authorizations) may be required for the occupancy and use of Forest Service land or resources.
Special Use Authorizations grant permission to occupancy and access National Forest System (NFS) lands for a wide variety of uses and activities. These can be commercial or non-commercial operations. There are approximately 600 special-use authorizations issued on the Lassen National Forest.
Who Needs an Authorization?
- If you need to use, occupy, or build on NFS land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is either temporary or long-term.
- If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
- If an activity on NFS land involves individuals or organizations with 75 or more participants or spectators.
Is my Proposal Appropriate?
- Your request must be consistent with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and special orders that apply to the national forests.
- Your request must be consistent with the Forest Plan that established standards and guidelines for managing the land where the activity will occur. Lassen National Forest - Land & Resources Management (usda.gov)
- Your request must not endanger public health or safety.
- Your request must not require exclusive or perpetual use or occupancy.
- Your request cannot conflict or interfere with the Forest Service's administrative use, other authorized existing uses, or uses of adjacent nonfederal lands.
- The application must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior special-use authorization.
- No gambling or providing of sexually-oriented commercial services can be authorized on NFS land, even if permitted under state law.
- No military or paramilitary training or exercises can be authorized on NFS land unless federally funded.
- No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized on NFS land.
What does an authorization cost?
Typical authorization fees include cost recovery fees and land use fees.
Cost recovery fees are assessed to recover the cost of processing applications and costs for monitoring authorizations. These fees are separate from any fees charged for the use and occupancy of NFS lands. Cost recovery fees only apply to recreation-type permits if the processing time is over 50 hours.
Land use fees are an annual rental fees based on the fair market value for the uses authorized and are payable in advance. Fees are established by appraisal or other sound business management principles.
Other associated costs- you may be responsible for providing additional information and reports necessary to determine your proposal's feasibility and environmental impacts, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and terms and conditions to be included in the authorization.