[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 27273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7136]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of Location Fee Schedule for Commercial 
Filming and Still Photography Permits for Units of the National Park 
Service

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 106-206, beginning on May 15, 
2006, the National Park Service (NPS) will collect a location fee for 
commercial filming and certain still photography activities permitted 
in units of the National Park Service. In addition, the NPS will 
continue to recover from the applicant a sum equal to the amount 
expended by the NPS in processing the permit request.

DATES: Collection of location fees will be effective May 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Information requests may be submitted to Lee Dickinson, 
Special Park Uses Program Manager, by any of the following methods:

E-mail: [email protected].
Fax: 202-371-2401, Attention: Lee Dickinson.
Mail: Lee Dickinson, Special Park Uses Program Manager, National Park 
Service, 1849 C Street, NW, ORG CODE 2460, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Dickinson, NPS Special Park Uses 
Program Manager at [email protected] or (202) 513-7092.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 106-206 (codified at 16 U.S.C. 
460l-6d) directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to 
establish a reasonable fee system for location fees for commercial 
filming and still photography activities on lands under the 
Secretaries' jurisdiction.
    In June 2004, at the request of some members of Congress, the 
Government Accountability Office (GAO) began a review of NPS policy and 
guidance related to issuing special use permits for special events and 
for commercial filming and still photography. In a May 6, 2005, report, 
the GAO concluded that the NPS could have collected and retained at 
least $1.6 million in location fees for commercial filming and still 
photography activities permitted on park lands in fiscal year 2003 if 
Public Law 106-206 had been implemented. A recommendation of the report 
was that the NPS ``Expedite the implementation of the law that requires 
the Park Service to collect locations fees and costs for commercial 
filming and still photography, when appropriate.''
    The Department of the Interior (DOI) is currently rewriting 
existing regulations at 43 CFR part 5. The new regulation will include 
many provisions of Public Law 106-206 which are not addressed in the 
current regulation and will ensure consistency between DOI agencies 
using this regulation. When finalized, this regulation will be the 
primary regulation governing commercial filming and still photography 
activities for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (FWS), and the National Park Service (NPS). A location 
fee schedule is being developed to be used by DOI agencies covered by 
this new regulation. Beginning on May 15, 2006, and continuing until 
the Departmental regulation is adopted and a new location fee schedule 
developed, the NPS will use the following location fee schedule 
currently used by the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada:

Commercial Filming/Videos

1-10 people--$150/day
11-30 people--$250/day
31-49 people--$500/day
Over 50 people--$750/day

Still Photography

1-10 people--$50/day
11-30 people--$150/day
Over 30 people--$250/day

    The term ``commercial filming'' means the 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. The location fee for 
still photography applies only to those still photography activities 
that require a permit from the NPS. A still photography activity 
requires a permit when it takes place at location(s) where or when 
members of the public are generally not allowed; when it uses model(s), 
sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or 
cultural resources or administrative facilities; or when we would need 
to provide management and oversight to:
    (i) Avoid impairment or incompatible use of the resources and 
values of the site; or
    (ii) Limit resource damage; or
    (iii) Minimize health or safety risks to the visiting public.

    Dated: April 20, 2006.
Fran Mainella,
Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E6-7136 Filed 5-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P