GLADSTONE — Maybe you’re thinking the National Forest would be a perfect venue for the “fill in the blank” (e.g. wedding, family reunion, birthday party, commercial film, outfitting business, watercolor painting lessons, etc, etc, etc) you want to host next summer. If so, don’t delay: Now is the time to pull together the details and contact the local district ranger to request a special use permit!

Special use permits are required for commercial and non-commercial use of National Forest lands. Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor Cid Morgan reminds individuals and organizations interested in proposing “Special Uses” on National Forest lands to take notice of upcoming Hiawatha National Forest Special Uses proposal deadlines.

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. Examples include weddings, family reunions, church services, regattas, camping trips, hikes, music festivals, etc.

A permit is required for Commercial Uses regardless of the number of people involved in the activity. Such uses include several types including Recreation Events (e.g. animal, bicycle, motocross, or triathlon type races, jeep rallies, dog trials, fishing contests, rendezvous, rodeos, adventure games, youth treks, wagon trains, concerts, and other similar events); Commercial Photography/Filming (e.g. commercial filming or sound recording, etc.); Outfitting and Guiding (e.g. accommodating guests, transporting persons, providing equipment, supplies and services); and Road Use Permits (for use of roads not open to the general public for motorized use or use of roads/driveways across NFS land to access private property). Commercial Uses require a permit regardless of group size.

In order to better manage proposals, the following submission deadline is in effect:

SUMMER/FALL USES – Occurring between June 1, 2020, and Oct. 31, 2020: Submit complete application by: Feb. 15, 2020 -Submit complete proposal package to the local Forest Service district ranger. Required information includes proposed use, itinerary, specific information on location including trails, name of group, reason why the use cannot be accommodated on Non-Federal lands, and all other basic information.

WINTER/SPRING USES – Occurring between Nove. 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021: Submit complete application by: July 15, 2020 – Submit complete proposal package to the Forest Service district ranger. Required information includes proposed use, itinerary, specific information on location including trails, name of group, reason why the use cannot be accommodated on Non-Federal lands, and all other basic information.

For either Use Season, parties with recurring uses (permits issued for more than one year) must submit annually-required information to the Forest Service (annual operating plan, insurance, brochures, etc.) by the date specified in their permit.

“In addition to streamlining our administrative processes, open seasons help us provide better service by assuring that special use proponents submit timely, complete proposals well in advance of the proposed use,” noted Morgan.

If you have questions about the special uses proposal, application and authorization process, please visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/hiawatha/passes-permits or contact the District Ranger at Munising (906) 387-2512; Rapid River/Manistique (906) 474-6442; or Sault Ste. Marie/St. Ignace (906) 643-7900.