Hiawatha National Forest will host two open houses to inform and assist the public regarding special use permits, which are required for a variety of activities the public may wish to conduct on national forest system lands. The open houses will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Forest Service offices in Munising (December 10, 2019) and Gladstone (December 12, 2019).
Why are special use permits needed? The Forest Service mission is to manage the national forests for a variety uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish and wildlife. Our job is to help people share and enjoy the forest, while conserving the environment for generations yet to come. To help us meet this goal, certain activities require permits.
“Our goal with these open houses is to help the public learn about the special uses program,” said Brian Hinch, a Forest Service recreation specialist who oversees recreation uses on the Hiawatha National Forest’s west zone.
What kinds of activities require a special use permit? The Forest Service provides permits for several kinds of activities including non-commercial activities, commercial activities, recreation events, commercial photography and filming, outfitting and guiding, transportation, energy, and forest products gathering.
“We’ll have posters and handouts covering the kinds of activities that require permits, and we will also have information about the seasonal permit application windows,” said Hinch.
Forest Service staff will be available to answer questions about the range of special uses — and if applicable, to help you get started on your permit application. Here is an overview of the kinds of activities covered by Forest Service special use permits:
- Non-Commercial Activities — A non-commercial group use is a use or activity that involves a group of 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators, where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and the primary purpose is not the sale of a goods or service. Some examples of noncommercial group uses are weddings, church services, graduations, family reunions and more.
- Commercial Activities — A use is considered Commercial when: an applicant intends to charge an entry or participation fee; or, when the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, regardless of the intent to produce a profit. Money collected may cover expense categories, such as food, transportation, prizes, advertising, purchase replacement of equipment, or compensation for the leader of the activity. Some examples of commercial activities include (but are not limited to) shuttle service, realtor signs, poker runs, marathons, food vendors, canoe outfitters, hunting guides, art/photography workshops and more.
- Recreation Events — Recreation events are commercial activities requiring temporary, authorized use of NFS land. Examples of recreation events include, but are not limited to, animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon races; dog trials; fishing contests; rendezvous; rodeos; adventure games; youth treks; concerts; and other similar events. A permit is required for these types of events, regardless of the number of people involved in the activity.
- Recreation Residences Permits — In 1915, when most national forests were remote and difficult to access, the agency launched the Recreation Residence program in order to help the public visit forest. While new Recreation Residences are no longer being added to the system, the Hiawatha has several tracts of privately owned, noncommercial residence located upon National Forest System lands and authorized by a recreation residence term special use permit. A recreation residence is maintained by the permit holder for personal, family, and guest use and enjoyment and cannot be transferred to a new owner; rather the new owner must apply for a new permit. A recreation residence may not serve as a permanent residence. From experience we know that because Rec Residences are relatively rare, there can be many challenges in buying a recreation residence (including financing). Whether you are a realtor selling recreation residences, a prospective buyer, or a current owner, we encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity to ask questions.
- Commercial Photography/Filming — A permit is required for all commercial filming activities on National Forest System lands except those involving breaking news. A permit is required for all still photography activities on National Forest System lands that involve the use of models, sets or props that are not a part of the natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities of the site where the activity is occurring. A permit may be required for still photography activities not involving models, sets, or props when the Forest Service incurs additional administrative costs as a direct result of the activity or when the activity takes place at a location where members of the public are generally not allowed.
- Outfitting and Guiding — A permit is required when the outfitting/guiding operation is conducted on national forest system lands or waters. Outfitting and guiding services range from hunting, fishing, canoeing trips to dogsledding, snowmobiling, and hiking tours, to name a few. Outfitters that rent and deliver equipment to the public for use on national forest lands must obtain a permit if they, their employees, or agents occupy or use national forest system lands or waters in connection with their rental programs.
- Transportation Permit — A transportation permit covers use of roads not open to the general public for motorized use or use of roads/driveways across NFS land to access private property.
- Snowplowing Permits — In our snowy winter landscapes, snow plowing is a fact of life. If you need to plow a Forest Service road — whether for commercial or non-commercial reasons — a snowplowing permit is required. These permits are designed to protect the road and surrounding resources, as well as to help ensure the safety of all users.
- Forest Products Gathering — Plant collection permits are required for digging plants. Permits are required for collecting edible or medicinal material, decorative material, etc if used for commercial purposes. Minerals permits cover use of gravel, rock, etc. Permits are also provided for gathering woody material (includes Holiday tree tags and Firewood permits). Permits are not required for collection of minor forest products, such as flowers, plants, berries, acorns, nuts or small amounts of medicinal roots, from areas other than designated recreation, research, natural or other areas closed to such activities. However, such collections are limited to reasonable quantities for personal use; there can be no disturbance of surface resources; and the products must not be protected by State or Federal laws or regulations.
For more information about Special Use Permits, visit the Hiawatha National Forest webpage (link), or contact our Munising (400 East Munising Avenue) and Gladstone (820 Rains Drive) offices, visit our webpage (link).
