Special Uses
Special Uses provides services supporting our national policy and federal land laws by authorizing uses on National Forest System land.
Learn more About the Program, the authorizing regulations and laws, and the Permit Application Process.
NEW - Ski Area Water Rights on National Forest System Lands - Notice of final directive; request for public comment.
The Forest Service amended the agency's policy for ski area concessions by adding two ski area water clauses to the Special Uses Handbook, FSH 2709.11, Chapter 50.
the Final Directive was published in the federal register on Dec. 30, 2015. The Federal Register Notice provides background on the directive and includes the agency's response to comments received in the proposed directive.
This Final directive follows the proposed directive for ski area water rights published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2014. That notice initiated a 60-day public comment period. Additionally, a 120-day Tribal consultation period began on July 28, 2014.
News Release: Forest Service publishes final directive on long- term viability of ski areas operating on National Forests
Federal Register Notice (PDF, 738 KB)
Excerpt FSH 2709.11, Chapter 50, Ski Area Water Rights Cause D-30 - Prior Appropriation States (PDF, 85 KB) - Final 2015
Excerpt FSH 2709.11, Chapter 50, Ski Area Water Rights Cause D-31 - Riparian States (PDF, 67 KB) - Final 2015
Webinar on the Final Directive (1 hour)
Directives for Additional Seasonal or Year-Round Recreation Activities at Ski Areas
A Federal Register Notice regarding the final directives for additional seasonal or year-round recreation activities at ski areas was published on April 17, 2014. The documents are provided below:
FSM_2700, Chapter 2710, Special Use Authorization
FSH_2709.14, Chapter 60, Winter Recreation Resorts and Other Concessions Involving Winter Sports
FSH_2709.14, Chapter 10, Organizational Camps and other Privately Owned Improvements Authorized for Groups
U.S. Forest Service Press release
Federal Register Notice - Vol. 79, No. 74 April 17, 2014 - Additional Seasonal and Year-Round Recreation Activities at Ski Areas (PDF, 235 KB)
For Reference: Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act (SAROEA)
Special Uses Cost Recovery
Advertising and Sponsorship at Concession Sites
Direction Regarding Advertising and Sponsorship at Concession Sites, FSM 2340. Link to Final Directive Advertising Sponsorship
Questions and answers regarding advertising and sponsorships at concession sites. Link to Final QA Advertising Sponsorship 04-30-2013
36CFR 251.50 Land Uses; Special Uses Requiring an Authorization
Final Rule (PDF, 138 KB) Effective August 12, 2004
Cabin Users Fee Fairness Act of 2000
Procedures for appraising Recreation Residence Lots and Managing Recreation Residence.
Federal Register vol. 71. No.63, April 3, 2006.
Recovery of Costs for Processing Special Use Applications and Monitoring compliance with Special Use Authorizations. Federal Register Vol. 71 No. 34, February 21, 2006
Ditch Bill Implementation
ID 2720-2005-2, December 21, 2005 (RTF, 197 KB)
This interim directive supplements existing direction in FSM 2729 to provide guidance to Forest Service officers in evaluation applications and issuing easements for certain qualifying water development facilities on National Forest System lands under the Act of October 27, 1986 (otherwise known as the "Colorado Ditch Bill")
Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines