[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6111-6112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2968]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Interim Direction for Commercial Filming and Still Photography 
Activities on National Forest System Lands

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of agency interim directives.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is issuing interim directives to guide its 
employees in the permitting and administration of authorizations and 
the collection of land use fees for commercial filming and still 
photography on National Forest System lands. These interim directives 
make Forest Service policy and procedures in Forest Service Manual 
chapter 2720 and in Forest Service Handbook 2709.11, chapter 30, 
consistent with the

[[Page 6112]]

provisions of the Act of May 26, 2000, which provides authority for the 
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize 
and set conditions on the use of Federal lands for commercial filming 
and still photography and to establish, retain, and spend without 
further appropriation land use fees collected for those uses. A primary 
purpose of the act is to promote consistent permitting and land use fee 
practices among the Federal land management agencies.

DATES: These interim directives are effective February 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: These interim directives (ID 2700-2003-1 and ID 2709.11-
2003-2) are available electronically from the Forest Service via the 
World Wide Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives. Single 
paper copies of the IDs are also available by contacting Melissa 
Hearst, Lands Staff (Mail Stop 1124), Forest Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1124 (telephone 202-205-1196).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Hearst, Lands Staff (202-205-
1196).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service is issuing interim 
directives (IDs) to Forest Service Manual (FSM) chapter 2720 and Forest 
Service Handbook (FSH) 2709.11, chapter 30 to guide its employees in 
the permitting and administration of authorizations and the collection 
of land use fees for commercial filming and still photography 
consistent with the provisions of the Act of May 26, 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
460l-6d).
    Prior to this act, the Forest Service's authority to issue permits 
for commercial filming and still photography and to collect land use 
fees for these uses was the Organic Act of 1897 (16 U.S.C. 551) and 
implementing regulations at title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 
251, subpart B. Legislative history for the Act of May 26, 2000, states 
that the act is intended to supplement the Forest Service's existing 
authorities to regulate commercial filming and still photography.
    The interim directive to FSM 2720 provides a definition for 
``commercial filming'' that establishes the types of filming activities 
for which a special use permit is required. This definition 
specifically excludes ``breaking news'' as an activity for which a 
special use permit is required, because the need for commercial filming 
and still photography to cover breaking news arises suddenly, may 
evolve quickly, and may cease to be newsworthy by the time a permit is 
issued. The ID also sets out definitions of other terms common to 
commercial filming and still photography. A clear understanding of 
these definitions is essential so that agency personnel can correctly 
determine under what situation or condition a special use permit is 
required.
    The Act of May 26, 2000, also provides the Forest Service with the 
authority to collect, retain, and spend without further appropriation 
the land use fees collected for commercial filming and still 
photography. The ID to FSH 2709.11, chapter 30, instructs agency 
personnel to continue to use current Regional and Forest fee schedules 
established for these activities and provides direction for the 
accounting and expenditure of these funds.
    The interim directive to FSM 2720 is issued as ID number 2700-2003-
1 and the interim directive to FSH 2709.11, chapter 30, is issued as ID 
number 2709.11-2003-2.

    Dated: January 30, 2003.
Sally Collins,
Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 03-2968 Filed 2-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P