Special Use Permits
A Special Use Authorization is a written permit, term permit, lease, or easement that authorizes use or occupancy of National Forest System lands and specifies the terms and conditions under which the use or occupancy may occur. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time. Special uses are activities beyond the typical use of Forest Service lands and can include large gatherings and non-commercial group use, recreation events, outfitting and guiding services, linear rights-of-way, communication sites, research, and many more. Our policy is to manage special uses on National Forest lands in a manner that protects natural resources values, public health and safety, and is consistent with the Forest land and resource management plans.
Please call the Siuslaw National Forest Headquarters with any questions.
Recreation Special Uses
Recreation events are temporary events, such as races, runs, rides, and tournaments, and for which an entrance fee is required. Event applicants may be for-profit or not-for-profit organizations, or individuals.
Event applicants will be responsible for organizing, and funding all aspects of the event including safety, communication, parking, signing, garbage clean-up and removal, restroom facilities, accommodating other public use, and any needed restoration. Proof of insurance will be required at least 30 days prior to the event and operating plans at least 60 days prior to the event.
Recreation events will not be approved in Wilderness.
A recreation event permit may approve vendors such as food services or merchandisers. Food service providers must also be licensed by the applicable County, any sale of alcohol must be licensed by the State, and merchandise should be reasonably related to the type of event being held (e.g., running shoes at a running event).
Events that cross County Roads and State Highways require separate approvals from the County or State, and have special signing requirements (for the protection of motorists and event participants). Events held on the water require approval from the Oregon State Marine Board.
A post-use report must be submitted within 30 days of each event and must include the number of participants, number of spectators, gross revenue, and cost of awards or prizes.
The land use fee is 5% of adjusted gross revenue for one-time events and 3% for multiple events under one permit (adjusted gross revenue is the gross revenue less the cost to the permittee of prizes awarded).
Outfitting is the commercial provision of saddle or pack animals, vehicles, boats, camping gear, or similar supplies or equipment. Guiding is the commercial provision of services such as supervision, protection, education, training, packing, touring, subsistence, transportation, or interpretation, to individuals or groups.
In addition to a completed application form, a detailed business plan should be submitted, which should include background, proposed services, proposed locations and season of use, equipment to be provided, transportation to be provided, proposed fees, evaluation of public need for this service, and a comparison with any similar existing services already under a special use permit.
A flat fee is charged for temporary outfitting/guiding permits (based on the amount of use). The land use fee for longer-term permits is generally 3% of adjusted gross revenue (gross revenue less the cost of certain licenses and the sale of certain operating equipment), with an estimated land use fee charged prior to operations each year.
In addition to a special use permit, businesses in Oregon must hold a licenses from the State of Oregon.
A non-commercial group use permit is required for an activity:
- That involves 75 or more people including spectators,
- Where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and
- Where the primary purpose is not the sale of a good or service. (Refer to the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 251.51).)
Examples include weddings, family reunions, or other large group gatherings.
Lands Special Uses
Most filming, photography, and audio recording on the Siuslaw National Forest does not require a permit.
No permit is required if the activity is incidental to or documenting an allowed activity or event (such as a family reunion or authorized recreation event).
Additionally, no permit is needed for groups of five or fewer using handheld equipment in public areas, provided the activity does not require exclusive use, cause resource damage, or result in additional administrative costs.
Permits are required according to a project’s potential effects and unique requirements, rather than its commercial or noncommercial status.
To learn if you may need a permit please review the Forest Service Filming and Photography Guidelines.
References:
- United States Code: USC 460l-6d: Filming and Still Photography
- Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (PDF, 389 KB)
If you are unsure if you meet these conditions, please contact the Siuslaw National Forest Headquarters.
Research special uses requirements include site surveys and testing, resource surveys, research studies, and weather stations and similar monitoring facilities. Some surveys are incidental and may not need a permit.
Siuslaw National Forest has several existing communication sites that provide communication, radio, and cell coverage for the public and emergency service/first responders.
More information is located on the Forest Service national website.
How to Prepare and Submit an Application
Most applications (including applications to amend an existing permit) should be submitted on Standard Form 299 (SF-299). Exceptions that have their own application forms are:
- Archaeological applications
- Recreation event applications
- Noncommercial group use applications
- Temporary (one year or less) outfitting/guiding applications. Longer-term applications should use the SF-299 and include a detailed business plan.
Please fill out the form as completely as possible.
Most application forms require supporting documents, so please read the application form carefully (an incomplete application can delay processing or result in us returning the application).
A map is a required supporting document in virtually all cases. The Forest Service Interactive Visitor Map may be used to create one for your application. (Note: Once you have created an electronic map using the "Create GEO PDF" function in the Tools menu, and have clicked on the map under Results, you will have an opportunity to mark up that map).
If you are a government agency, utility, or telecommunications provider, you will be required to submit a geographic information system (GIS) geodatabase. A GIS geodatabase may be required for other applicants and will be determined at time of submission.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Forest Service prior to submitting an application form to discuss your proposal.
Inquiries can be emailed to r6_siuslaw_wwweb_front_desk@usda.gov.
Processing, monitoring, and land use fees may be applicable.
- Application processing and/or monitoring fees apply to non-recreation applications when it takes over 1 hour to either process the proposal or monitor the use.
- Application processing and/or monitoring fees apply to recreation applications only when it takes over 50 hours to either process the proposal or monitor the use.
- Most special use permits have an associated land use fee. Many different types of fee calculations might apply, depending on the type of use. Both this and the extent of the use determines the land use fee.
Exceptions exist for certain applicants and certain types of uses. No fees are due upon the submittal of an application; after we receive your application a special uses administrator will contact you to discuss fees and other matters pertaining to your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If you will need to occupy, use or build in NFS 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 NFS land involves individuals or organizations with 75 or more participants or spectators.
- Your request must be consistent with current agency laws, regulations, orders and policies, other federal laws, and applicable state and local health and sanitation laws.
- Your request must be consistent or made consistent with the standards and guidelines in the applicable Land and Resource Management Plan.
- Your request must not pose serious or substantial risk to public health or safety.
- Your request must not require exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy.
- Your request does not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative uses, other scheduled or authorized existing uses, or use of adjacent non-Forest Service lands.
- The proponent must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior or existing special-use authorization.
- No gambling or providing of sexually oriented commercial services can be authorized, even if permitted under state law.
- No military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals can be authorized, unless it is federally funded.
- No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized.
Use of a drone does not inherently require a special use permit. Members of the public may fly unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for hobby or recreation in many places on National Forest System lands. However, there are areas on National Forest System lands where UAS can’t be flown as mandated by federal law and in accordance with FAA guidelines.
Learn more about drone/unmanned aircraft system (UAS) use on Forest Service land: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/aviation/uas.
Proposals for commercial vending operations are currently not accepted. Applications for those services will only be accepted through a competitive process initiated by the Forest Service. Some examples include: coffee shops, hot dog stands, OHV repair services, and clothing sales.
The land west of the vegetation along the coast is managed by Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department. Contact Oregon State Parks for operations or activities on the beach.
No. At this time, we do not have the ability to permit this use. For more information, please view our screening criteria.
The placement of a monument, memorial, or commemorative plaque or bench along trails, overlooks, roadways, or other public place has become an increasingly common practice to memorialize loved ones and important events. This practice can have great significance for friends, family, or people close to the event. For others, memorials can impact their experience, particularly when they are found in natural settings. For this reason, and due to the increase in requests for such memorials across National Forest lands, we are unable to permit them.