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Event/Commercial Permits
A special-use authorization is a legal document like a permit, term permit, lease, or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of National Forest Service land. The authorization (special-use permit) is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.
A permit is required when you are asking for special privileges on National Forest land. Examples include gatherings of 75 people or more, operating a business such as an outfitting or guiding service, using the Forest for financial gain, occupying a recreation residence, and commercial filming. The use may be for a one-day event such as a wedding or bicycle race, or for up to 40 years such as a ski resort permit.
Types of Permits
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Filming & Photography
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Non-Commercial Events
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Recreation Events
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Outfitting & Guiding
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Recreation Residences
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Research
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Land Use and Other Permits
Other permits include utilities, water transmission/storage, service buildings, road/driveways, signs/monuments, resort permit amendments, communication sites, and others.
Common Questions About Special Use Permits
- If you will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest System land for personal or business purposes, whether the duration is temporary or long term.
- If there is a fee being charged or if income is derived from the use.
- If an activity on National Forest System land involves individuals or organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.
Your request must:
- Be consistent with laws, regulations, orders, policies of National Forest System lands, other federal laws, and applicable State and local health and sanitation laws.
- Be consistent or made consistent with the standards and guidelines in the applicable Land and Resource Management Plan.
- Not pose serious or substantial risk to public health or safety.
- Not require exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy.
- Not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative uses, other scheduled or authorized existing uses, or use of adjacent non-NFS lands.
- Not be for a proponent who owes any fees to the Forest Service from a prior or existing special-use authorization.
- Not involve gambling or providing of sexually oriented commercial services. This cannot be authorized on NFS land, even if permitted under state law.
- Not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals. This cannot be authorized on NFS land, unless it is federally funded.
- Not involve the disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances. This cannot be authorized on NFS land.
Cost Recovery Fees
An assessment of fees to recover agency costs for processing special use applications and costs for monitoring special use authorizations. These fees are separate from any fees charged for the use and occupancy of NFS lands. Cost Recovery fees only apply to recreation permits if the permit processing time is more than 50 hours, (For Example: Outfitter and Guide Permits and Recreation Events Permits). See the table below for the Cost Recovery fees.
Land Use Fees
This is an annual rental fee based on the fair market value for the uses authorized and is payable in advance. Fees are established by appraisal or other sound business management principles.
Other Associated Costs
You may be responsible for providing information and reports necessary to determine the feasibility and environmental impacts of your proposal; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and terms and conditions to be included in the authorization.
Contact Information
You are strongly encouraged to contact the permit administrator on the unit where you’d like to guide prior to submitting a proposal.
Depending on the complexity of the proposal, obtaining a Special Use Authorization can sometimes be a lengthy process. It is important to note not all proponent's will receive approval for a permit, therefore any action taken before receiving a Special Use authorization, such as occupying National Forest System Lands and advertising or expending funds, is premature and at the proponent's risk--and is against the law. It is recommended that your contact the permit administrator on the unit where you’d like to conduct your activity. Contact information here. Proposal and application submission due dates are as follows:
- Guided hunting proposals, temporary special use applications and required annual operating documents shall be submitted to the associated Forest Service Office by June 1 of each year.
- Submit ALL other proposals and applications at least 180 days ahead of your intended start of operations.
- All proposals and applications will be date-stamped when received and processed in order of receipt.
- Submit proposals/applications or questions to the associated Forest Service Office listed below.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Contacts
Contact the appropriate Ranger District for authorizations regarding lands and recreation activities (i.e. temporary use outfitting/guiding, noncommercial group use, recreation residence cabins, research, roads, utilities, acequias)
| Office | Contact | Phone/Email |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Ranger Station
P.O. Box 469 42634 Hwy. 180/191 Alpine, AZ 85920 |
Shannon Miller Special Use Permit Administrator |
(928) 339-5052 extention 75052 (direct line) (928) 339-5000 (main office line) shannon.miller1@usda.gov |
| Black Mesa Ranger Station
P.O. Box 968 2748 East AZ 260 Overgaard, AZ 85933 |
Colleen Peterson Special Use Permit Administrator |
(928) 535-7352 (Direct line) (928) 535-7300 (Main office line) colleen.peterson@usda.gov |
| Clifton Ranger Station
397240 AZ 75 Duncan, AZ 85534 |
Rebecca Dykes Recreation Management Specialist |
(928) 687-8612 (Direct line) (928) 687-8600 (Main office line) rebecca.dykes@usda.gov |
| Lakeside Ranger Station
2202 W. White Mountain Blvd. Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85929 |
Joyce Szalwinski Recreation Management Specialist |
(928) 368-2106 (direct line) (928) 368-2100 (main phone line) joyce.szalwinski@usda.gov |
| Springerville Ranger Station
P.O. Box 760 165 South Mountain Ave. Springerville, AZ 85938 |
Nathan Buck Special Use Permit Administrator |
(928) 333-6219 (direct line) (928) 333-6200 (main phone line) nathan.buck@usda.gov |