Special Use Permit Application
Submit your proposal
First, contact the Forest Service office where you want a permit to request an application. Prior to submitting the proposal, you should arrange a pre-application meeting at the local Forest Service office for the area in which you wish to hold your activity. A staff member will discuss your proposal, potential land use conflicts, application procedures and qualifications, probable time frames, fees, bonding requirements, additional coordination with other agencies, environmental reports and field reviews.
Most commercial uses require additional information with the application. You may need business plans, operating plans, liability insurance, licenses/registrations, or other documents.
Make your initial contact with the Forest Service office well in advance of application deadlines. The deadline for receiving applications for recreation events or outfitter and guide permits is February 15 in the year for which the event is planned.
Proposals must meet all of the initial screening requirements (found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 36 CFR 251.54) to process to the second level screening.
- The proposed use is consistent with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, orders, and policies that apply to national forests and grasslands;
- The proposed use is consistent or can be made consistent with the Forest Plan that established standards and guidelines for management of the land where the activity will take place;
- The proposed use will not create a serious and substantial risk to public health or safety;
- The proposed use will not create an exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy;
- The proposed use will not unreasonably conflict or interfere with administrative use by the Forest Service, other authorized existing uses, or uses of adjacent non-National Forest System lands;
- The proponent must not owe any fees to the Forest Service from a prior or existing special-use authorization;
- The proposed use does not involve gambling or providing of sexually-oriented commercial services, even if permitted under state law;
- The proposed use does not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises, unless such training is federally funded;
- The proposed use does not involve disposal of solid waste or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances.
- The proposed use would be consistent or compatible with the purposes for which the lands are managed; and
- The proposed use would be in the public interest; and
- The proponent is qualified; and
- The proponent can demonstrate technical or financial capability to undertake the use and fully comply with the terms and conditions of the permit; and
- There is someone authorized by the proponent to sign a permit or there is someone willing to accept the responsibility of the terms and conditions of the permit.
Submit an application
If the permit proposal meets the requirements of both the initial and second level screening, the Forest Service will accept your proposal as a formal application. Note that proposals submitted after February 15 in the year in which the proposed use or activity is intended to occur may not be accepted, or may experience delays in agency review, screening and processing.
Applications for outfitter guide permits must include:
- Detailed maps showing the location(s) of proposed activities
Applications for commercial filming and still photography permits must include:
- Detailed maps showing the location(s) of proposed activities
Applications for recreation event permits must include:
- Detailed maps showing the location(s) of proposed activities
Other permit requirements, (e.g. proof of insurance) may be required after a determination is made to process the application.
Those who submit written proposals for a special use will be contacted regarding their proposal prior to issuance of a permit. Note that the actual permit issuance will take longer.
If your proposal does not meet the initial and second level screening requirements, then you will be informed that the proposal, as submitted, failed and will not receive further consideration.
Please keep in mind, whether or not the Forest Service ultimately issues a permit is discretionary and may be dependent on a variety of factors. Some of these factors could include:
- The application package was not sufficiently complete. Incomplete packages requiring additional follow-up time by Forest staff may not be considered.
- Forest Service staff has other previously scheduled or higher priority work.
- Proposals for events occurring off open, designated routes may be considered, but will normally require a more in-depth analysis of potential impacts pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and be subject to Cost Recovery Fees per FSH2709.11, Chapter 20. Applicants considering submitting a proposal for this type of activity should submit packages well in advance of the deadline to provide sufficient time for environmental analysis.
- Applicant cannot or will not demonstrate they can satisfactorily mitigate potential physical, biological or social environmental impacts of the proposal.
- Applicant cannot procure or provide proof of liability insurance (and naming the US Government as additionally insured) prior to the scheduled activities.
Fees
Application Fees - The Forest Service is authorized to assess cost recovery fees to recover agency processing and monitoring costs for special use authorizations according to 36 CFR 251.58 . These application fees are assessed prior to evaluating special use applications. Cost recovery fees are separate from rental fees charged for the use and occupancy of National Forest System lands. Many commercial recreation permit applications fall under a special exemption of the cost recovery application processing fee. Your Forest Service case manager will inform you of the processing fee, if any, prior to processing your request.
Land Use Fees - If a decision is made to allow the proposed activities, then payment of a land use rental fee will be required prior to issuing the permit. Commercial event/recreation permit rental fees vary according to the type, intensity and duration of the activity. In general, the fees are based on either a fee schedule or a percentage of gross revenue collected from the activity. Your Forest Service case manager will advise you as to what fees to expect during application processing.
Other Fees and Costs - There may be other costs for which you are responsible as part of your authorized activity. Liability insurance coverage is required and a performance bond to ensure protection of the environment and site cleanup may be required. Depending on the size and duration of your activity, costs associated with law enforcement, crowd control, safety issues and sanitation may also be required.