Event/Commercial Permits

A permit is required when you are asking for special privileges on National Forest Service (NFS) land. Examples include gatherings of 75 people or more, operating a business such as an outfitting or guiding service, using the Forest for financial gain, occupying a recreation residence, and commercial filming.

The use may be for a one-day event like a wedding or bicycle race, or for up to 40 years such as a ski resort permit.

For questions regarding the sale or transfer of recreation residence cabins, email sm.fs.coronado_su@usda.gov.

 

About Permits
Fees
Applications
Process
Open Season

What are special-use authorizations?

A special-use authorization is a legal document such as a permit, term permit, lease, or easement, which allows occupancy, use, rights, or privileges of NFS land. The authorization is granted for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time.

  • If you will need to occupy, use, or build on National Forest Service (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 organization with 75 or more participants or spectators.

  • Your request must be consistent with laws, regulations, orders, policies of NFS lands, 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-NFS 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 on NFS land, even if permitted under state law.
  • No military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals can be authorized on NFS land, unless it is federally funded.
  • No disposal of solid waste or storage or disposal of radioactive or other hazardous substances can be authorized on NFS land.

How much does an authorization cost?

Cost Recovery Fees

The Forest Service assesses fees from permit applicants to recover agency costs for processing special-use applications, and costs for monitoring special-use authorizations. These fees are separate and distinct from any fees charged for the use and occupancy of NFS land. Payment of the cost recovery fee is required prior to moving the application forward and does not guarantee approval of the application. Currently, cost recovery fees only apply to recreation permits if the processing time is more than 50 hours (ex: ski resorts, marinas, concessionaire campgrounds). 

Table of Cost Recovery Fees - Minimal Impact

Type Hours Processing Fee CY 2023
Minor 1 Greater than 1 hour less than or equal to 8 hours $146
Minor 2 Greater than 8 hours less than or equal to 24 hours $516
Minor 3 Greater than 24 hours less than or equal to 36 hours $972
Minor 4 Greater than 36 hours less than or equal to 50 hours $1,393

Master Agreements

Type Hours Processing Fee CY 2023
Major 5 As specified in the Agreement As specified in the Agreement
Major 6 Estimated work hours greater than 50 Full reasonable costs, except MLA Full actual costs (MLA)

Diagram of Cost Recovery Process

Flow chart. Proposal is submitted. If passes initial and second-level screening and is accepted, there is a formal application. If not the proposal is returned to the proponent.


If Accepted as a Formal Application: Proceed with NEPA

Flow chart. Proceed to NEPA and if approved, issue authorization. If not approved, authorization is denied and the appeals and resolution process may start.
 

Step Category:
Minor (1-4)
Single Project (CE) 		Category:
Master Agreement Major (5)
Number of Projects 		Category:
Major (6)
Single Project
Estimate admin time/cost Category 1: $146
Category 2: $516
Category 3: $972
Category 4: $1,393		 Per agreement Per agreement
Estimate monitoring time/cost Category 1: $146
Category 2: $516
Category 3: $972
Category 4: $1,393		 Per agreement Per agreement
Customer service standards Review 36 CFR 251.58(c)(7) Review 36 CFR 251.58(c)(7) Review 36 CFR 251.58(c)(7)

This is an annual rental fee based on the fair market value for the uses authorized and is payable in advance. Fees are established by appraisal or other sound business management principles.

You may be responsible for providing information and reports necessary to determine the feasibility and environmental impacts of your proposal; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and terms and conditions to be included in the authorization.

Special-use Permit Applications

Document Download
Commercial Filming & Photography PDF
Noncommercial Group Use Events PDF
Recreation Events Application
Operating Plan
Estimated Fee Worksheet
Outfitter Guide Application/Operating Plan Hunting
Non-Hunting
Research PDF
Weddings PDF
Transfer of Existing Special-use Authorization, Land Uses & All Other Uses Please contact  SM.FS.Coronado_SU@usda.gov in addition to filling out form SFF-299

The Special-use Authorization Process

You've submitted the forms. Now what happens? Depending on the complexity of the proposal, obtaining a special-use authorization can sometimes be a lengthy process.   It is important to note not all proponents will receive approval for a permit, therefore any action taken before receiving a special-use authorization, such as occupying National Forest System Lands and advertising or expending funds, is premature and at the proponent's risk--and is against the law.

  • Submit ALL proposals and applications at least 90 days of your intended start of operations.
  • All proposals and applications will be date-stamped when received and processed in order of receipt. Please make note Outfitter and Guide applications will be only processed during the Open Season.
  • Submit all proposals/applications or questions to the Coronado National Forest Supervisors Office.
  • Coronado National Forest- Special Uses Inbox: SM.FS.Coronado_SU@usda.gov

Coronado National Forest, Supervisors Office

Coronado National Forest
Attn: Special Uses
300 W. Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701

(520) 388-8300 (main phone line)

Open Seasons

An “Open Season” is a focused period to receive applications that will concentrate the review and approval of outfitter and guide and recreation event applications to a specific timeframe.

The purpose of using an Open Season (focused period for applications) is to provide the most effective and efficient permit administrative process that will improve the Coronado National Forest’s customer service to existing permit holders and new permit applications. This will increase the probability of forest service staff to review permit applications in a predictable and efficient manner to ensure that forest resources are protected, and environmental compliance is consistently applied to each application.

For calendar year 2023, please review the Open Season Letters for application deadlines for Outfitter and Guides and Recreation Events.

Open Season will be implemented for all future years.

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