Effective 5/15/2006

![](media/image1.png){width="1.0541666666666667in"
height="0.9298611111111111in"} **United States Department of the
Interior**

**NATIONAL PARK SERVICE**

**Alaska Region**

**COMMERCIAL FILM PERMIT APPLICATION PROCEDURES**

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Thank you for requesting a Commercial Filming and Photography Permit in
Alaska\'s National Park Service (NPS) units. It\'s our policy to allow
these activities when consistent with the protection and public
enjoyment of park resources.

***Who needs a permit?***

A law passed by Congress in May 2000 (P.L. 106-206) requires a location
fee be charged for commercial filming or similar activities on federal
lands, including units of the National Park System. In April 2006, the
National Park Service published a regulation which brought our rules in
line with the law. Beginning May 15, 2006, we will charge a location fee
for all commercial filming and for any still photography which requires
a permit.

By law, [all]{.underline} commercial filming requires a permit and the
payment of a location fee. Commercial filming is defined as digital or
film recording of a visual image or sound recording by a person,
business, or other entity for a market audience, such as for a
documentary, television or feature film, advertisement or similar
project.

By law, commercial still photography does [not]{.underline} require a
permit (or location fee) unless:

-   Such photography takes place at locations where members of the
    public are generally not allowed, or

-   The activity uses a model(s), set(s) or prop(s) that are not a part
    of the location\'s natural or cultural resources or administrative
    facilities, or

-   The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the
    activity because of potential damage to park resources or
    significant disruptions to normal visitor use.

***How do I obtain a permit and when?***

Submit the following to the park specific film coordinator contact:

-   Application for Photography/Filming Permit

-   A non-refundable application and administrative fee of \$200 **IN
    THE FORM OF A CASHIER\'S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO \"NATIONAL
    PARK SERVICE\".**

-   A park-specific Commercial Filming Questionnaire that will allow you
    to further describe your film project in detail.

-   After submitting your application, a minimum of 14 days is required
    for administrative review.

***\
How much will the permit cost?***

There are four types of fees applicable:

1.  [Application and Administrative Fee]{.underline}. This \$200
    non-refundable fee must be submitted at the time of the initial
    application. Payment must be in the form of a cashier\'s check or
    money order.

2.  [Monitoring/Management Fee]{.underline}. This cost-recovery fee
    varies with each park unit. Contact the individual park\'s Film
    Permit Coordinator for further information. The fee must be paid in
    advance and is based on the information provided in the application.

3.  [Performance Bond]{.underline}. The purpose of the bond is to insure
    that the resource is left in as good condition as it was prior to
    the filming AND to cover restoration costs and NPS costs
    (administrative and monitoring/management) if specified as a
    condition of the permit. The fee must be paid in advance.

4.  [Location Fee]{.underline}. Mandated under Public Law 106-206:

  ----------------------------- --------------- -------------------------- --------------
  [Motion                                       [Commercial Still          
  Picture/Videos]{.underline}                   Photography]{.underline}   

  1-2 People camera and tripod                                             
  only                                                                     

  1-10 People                   \$150/day       1 -- 10 people             \$50/day

  11- 30 people                 \$250/day       11- 30 people              \$150/day

  31 -- 49 people               \$500/day       Over 30 people             \$250/day

  Over 50 people                \$750/day                                  
  ----------------------------- --------------- -------------------------- --------------

***What type of insurance is required?***

-   Proof of general commercial liability insurance issued by a United
    States company must be provided with the film permit application.

-   The Service may require additional insurance for certain high-hazard
    situations.

***What elements must the insurance policy contain?***

1.  [Risk of loss.]{.underline} The permittee assumes all risk of loss
    of his/her property.

2.  [Damage to government property]{.underline}. The permittee has a
    duty to protect from injury and damage the land, property,
    resources, historic features and other interests of the government.

3.  [Indemnification and liability of the government]{.underline}. The
    permittee will comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local
    laws and regulations, as well as all permit conditions. In addition,
    the permittee will indemnify, defend, and hold the U.S. Government
    harmless for any violations incurred under any such laws and
    regulations or for any costs, damages, claims, liabilities or
    judgments arising from acts or omissions of the permittee in
    connection with the use and/or occupancy provided by a permit.

***What are the minimum required insurance amounts?***

-   Personal liability: \$300,000

-   Commercial liability (still photography, or for small film/video
    projects of fewer than 15 people): \$500,000

-   General commercial liability for video or film production companies:
    \$1,000,000

-   When using boats, employing stunts or other higher risk activities:
    \$2,000,000 or more.

***Can a permit application denied?***

A permit application may be denied if there is likelihood that:

-   Resource damage would occur that cannot be mitigated or restored
    under the terms and conditions of a permit;

-   Unreasonable disruption of or conflict with the public's use and
    enjoyment of the site;

-   The activity poses health or safety risks to the public;

-   The activity would result in the impairment of park resources or
    values;

-   The requested activity will violate any other applicable Federal,
    State, or local law or regulation.

***Where can I obtain more information?***

-   Each park unit has developed an additional park-specific Commercial
    Filming Questionnaire and permit stipulations by which you will be
    required to operate. Please contact the Film Coordinator listed
    below for further park specific information.

**[PARK UNIT CONTACT PHONE FAX]{.underline}**

ANIAKCHAK.................................................. Chief Ranger
(907) 246-2127 246-2116

ALAGNAK WILD RIVER .................................. Chief Ranger (907)
246-2127 246-2116

DENALI........................................................ Chief
Ranger (907) 683-9521 683-9612

GATES OF THE ARCTIC... ............................. Chief of Operations
(907) 692-5494 456-5400

GLACIER BAY................................................ Chief Ranger
(907) 697-2230 697-2645

KATMAI........................................................ Chief
Ranger (907) 246-2127 226-2116

KENAI FJORDS... ........................................ Chief Ranger
(907) 224-2118 / 224-3175 224-2144

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH ..............................\... Chief Ranger (907)
983-9218 983-9249

LAKE CLARK ................................................ Film Permit
Coordinator (907) 271-6230 271-3707

SITKA.......................................................... Chief
Ranger (907) 747-6281 747-5938

WESTERN ARCTIC (BELA, CAKR, KOVA, NOAT) . Chief Ranger (907) 442-8311
442-8316

WRST............................................................ Chief
Ranger (907) 882-7234 822-7216

YUCH.........................................................\... .Chief
of Operations (907) 547-2233 547-0590