Permits
A forest produces a variety of products which people can harvest, collect, and use for a variety of things. Depending on the forest product, and its use - gathering these items may require a permit. The Eastern Region has an abundance of forest products ranging from balsam boughs to edible mushrooms to ferns. Each forest in the region carefully manages its natural resources - so the permitting process and costs associated with the permits may vary from forest to forest. Below you can find information about some of our most popular forest products:
Using a National Forest System Road for commercial hauling is prohibited without a permit or written authorization. This use restriction applies to all commercial haul activity, not just activity directly related to Forest Service projects or operations
Examples of commercial vehicles that may need a Road Use Permit are logging trucks, tractor-trailer combinations, lowboys, yarders, chip vans, sand, gravel or cement trucks. This list is not all inclusive.
Please contact the Road Manager at the appropriate Forest Service office to obtain a Road Use Permit or written authorization.
Emergency services and public broadcasting/communication services throughout the nation require communications repeaters and towers. These sites are permitted by the National Forest under a special use permit. The locations of these are varied and are usually on high elevation sites. Any time they improve or add to the facilities, a new permit may be required. For more information on this type of permit, visit the national "communication sites" page or contact your local Special Use Permit Coordinator.
If you already have a special use permit and intend to make improvements, you may need an "Existing Use Permit". For more information on this type of permit, visit the national "existing uses" page or contact your local Special Use Permit Coordinator.
- Firewood is generally sold in "cords" and most forests require a four cord minimum (1 cord = 4'x4'x8').
- Live trees cannot be cut for firewood unless approved in writing by a District Ranger.
- Firewood cutting is permitted along any developed road open to motor vehicle use (see local Motor Vehicle Use Maps) with some exceptions. Exceptions may include developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, and natural research areas.
- Firewood gathering cannot interfere with timber sale activities.
- Trees within 100 feet of beaver ponds, lakes, streams or rivers cannot be cut.
- Generally, firewood can be gathered without a permit for persons camping at a developed recreation site. The firewood cannot exceed what is needed at the site.
Finally, permits for firewood can be obtained by visiting a forest supervisor's office or a ranger district nearest you. Please be sure to know the rules and regulations on the forest you wish to gather firewood on before you go.
Recreation Residences have existed since before the turn of the century, when national forests were reserves and were administered by the General Land Office in the U.S. Department of the Interior. The first lots were authorized by the Forest Management Act of June 4, 1897, also known as the "Organic Act" to encourage public recreation. In 1968, in recognition of other recreation needs, the Forest Service decided against establishing any additional new tracts. In 1976, this moratorium was expanded to include no development of new lots within existing tracts.
The Forest Service Recreation Residence program gives private citizens the opportunity to own a single-family cabin in designated areas on the National Forests. They are commonly called "summer homes" or "recreation residences". These privately owned cabins (improvements) are located within formally established "tracts" on "lots" designated for that purpose and are authorized and administered under the terms and conditions of a special use authorization (permit). The individual owns the improvements but not the land.
Occasionally permit holders sell their improvements. The Forest Service does not handle the sale of recreation residences, nor does it keep track of those that are for sale. For more information on this type of permit, visit the national "recreation residences" page or contact your local Special Use Permit Coordinator.
These amenities provide specific services to individuals or groups that require higher costs for maintenance.
Examples
- Shooting ranges
- Special events
- Specialized trail systems
Recreation permits may be required when extra measures are needed to protect natural or cultural resources. Recreational permits may include:
*indicates special use permits may be required.
- Off Highway Vehicle (OHV)
- River Access
- Wilderness Access
- Rifle Ranges
- Groomed Cross Country Ski Trails
- Group Activities*
- Recreational Events*
Special Use Permits
A Special Use Authorization is a permit, term permit, temporary permit, lease, or easement or other written instrument that grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use subject to specified terms and conditions on National Forest land. The occupancy and 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.
Our policy is to manage special uses on National Forest lands in a manner that protects natural resource values, public health and safety, and is consistent with the Forest land and resource management plans.
Before a special use proposal is approved, the agency must determine that the proposed use complies with the Forest's land and resource management plan; that National Environmental Policy Act requirements are met; there is a demonstrated need for the activity on National Forest System lands; and the use is appropriate on National Forest System lands.
None of the existing special use authorities provide for permanent use of National Forest System lands.
- Boat dock and wharf
- Campgrounds and picnic areas
- Organization/private camps
- Shelters
- Outfitter and guide services
- Resorts and marinas
- Vendors and peddlers (mobile concessions)
- Ski areas
- Group events (non-recreational purposes such as parades and demonstrations)
- Native American Traditional Religious Activity
- Religious meetings
- Public information & Signs (we try to avoid commercial advertising signs)
- Markers & Monuments (historical markers, roadside markers, summit markers, etc)
- Commerical Filming
- Site surveys and testing
- Research and research study
- Experimental and demonstration
- Manufacturing
- Timber processing
- Mineral exploration
- Filming for motion pictures or commercials
- Communications
- Energy Generation and Transmission
- Transportation
- Water (non-power generating)