Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands: Background and Permitting Processes

Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands: Background and Permitting Processes

Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands:
May 18, 2022
Background and Permitting Processes
Mark K. DeSantis
Commercial guides and outfitters provide visitors to federal lands with a wide range of
Analyst in Natural
outdoor recreational and educational opportunities, such as river rafting, horseback trips,
Resources Policy
and hiking excursions. Annually, these businesses lead thousands of trips across federal

lands, primarily those managed by the four major federal land management agencies
(FLMAs): the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS),

and National Park Service (NPS)—all in the Department of the Interior (DOI)—and the Forest Service (FS) in the
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Various federal authorities apply to commercial guides and outfitters operating on federal lands, including laws,
executive orders, agency policies and regulations, and other guidance. These authorities may apply broadly to an
entire agency or land system, or they may be narrow in scope, applying only to specific units or regions.
Generally, all commercial guides and outfitters are required to obtain a permit to operate on federal lands, and the
laws, regulations, and policies that guide this permitting process vary across the FLMAs. For example, with the
passage of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA; 16 U.S.C. §§6801-6814), Congress provided
the four FLMAs and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with authority to issue special recreation permits for
specialized recreation uses—including guide and outfitting operations—and to charge fees for those permits.
However, permits for guides and outfitters still may be issued under other authorities, depending on the agency,
the type of recreational activity, and the specific unit in question. In particular, NPS issues most of its permits for
guides and outfitters under the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 (54
U.S.C. §§101911 et seq.), and both FS and FWS issue some permits for recreational activities under authorities
other than those provided by FLREA.
The authority under which a permit is issued—as well as the agency issuing such a permit—may dictate the
terms, fees, and requirements to which a permit holder is subject. For example, some permit terms require holders
to pay annual fees based on a percentage of their revenue, and other terms set standard fee scales. In addition,
requirements for commercial general liability insurance vary across agencies and on a case-by-case basis
depending on the types of activities authorized under a permit. Given that the various FLMA permitting processes
have been a focal point of interest for many in Congress, the Administration, and the outfitting industry,
understanding these various requirements—as well as the broader role of commercial guides and outfitters on
federal lands—may be helpful to Congress. For more information regarding legislative issues related to
commercial guides and outfitters on federal lands, see CRS Report R46381, Guides and Outfitters on Federal
Lands: Issues and Legislation in the 116th Congress in Brief.
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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Federal Authorities Related to Guides and Outfitters ...................................................................... 1
Authorities for Specific Recreation Activities and Services ..................................................... 2
State Requirements for Guides and Outfitters ................................................................................. 3
Permitting Process for Guides and Outfitters Across Federal Land Management Agencies ........... 4
U.S. Forest Service .................................................................................................................... 8
Authorities and Mechanisms ............................................................................................... 8
Planning Process ................................................................................................................. 8
Permit Terms ....................................................................................................................... 9
Permitting Fees ................................................................................................................. 10
Insurance and Liability ...................................................................................................... 11
Bureau of Land Management ................................................................................................... 11
Authorities and Mechanisms ............................................................................................. 12
Planning Process ............................................................................................................... 12
Permit Terms ..................................................................................................................... 13
Permitting Fees ................................................................................................................. 13
Insurance and Liability ..................................................................................................... 13
National Park Service .............................................................................................................. 14
Authorities and Mechanisms ............................................................................................. 14
Planning Process ............................................................................................................... 15
Permit Terms ..................................................................................................................... 16
Permitting Fees ................................................................................................................. 16
Insurance and Liability ..................................................................................................... 17
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ................................................................................................ 18
Authorities and Mechanisms ............................................................................................. 18
Planning Process ............................................................................................................... 19
Permit Terms ..................................................................................................................... 19
Permitting Fees ................................................................................................................. 19
Insurance and Liability ..................................................................................................... 20
Concluding Thoughts and Further Reading ................................................................................... 20

Tables
Table 1. Permitting for Commercial Guides and Outfitters Across FLMAs ................................... 6

Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 20

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Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands: Background and Permitting Processes

Introduction
Commercial guides and outfitters operate on federal lands across the United States, providing
visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.1 Guide and
outfitter activities include backpacking, hunting/fishing trips, educational excursions, float trips,
canoe or horse rentals, shuttle services, ski touring, helicopter skiing, and vehicle/boat tours. Both
for-profit and nonprofit entities engage in commercial guide and outfitting activities on federal
lands.2
The authorities under which commercial guides and outfitters operate and provide recreational
services on federal lands vary for each of the four major federal land management agencies
(FLMAs): the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and
National Park Service (NPS)—all in the Department of the Interior (DOI)—and the Forest
Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This report discusses the role commercial
guides and outfitters have in providing access to federal lands and gives an overview of some of
the federal and state authorities that may apply to commercial guides and outfitters operating on
lands owned and administered by the FLMAs. In particular, this report examines permitting
authorities and requirements across all four FLMAs. Fees or permits associated with
noncommercial recreational activities are not included within this report.3
For a more detailed discussion about issues related to commercial guides and outfitters, see CRS
Report R46381, Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands: Issues and Legislation in the 116th
Congress in Brief.
Federal Authorities Related to Guides and Outfitters
Multiple federal authorities apply to commercial guides and outfitters operating on federal lands,
including laws, executive orders, agency regulations and policies, and other guidance. These
authorities may apply broadly to an entire agency or land system, or they may be narrow in scope,
applying to specific units or regions.
The federal government owns approximately 640 million acres of federal land in the United
States; the four FLMAs administer roughly 95% of this land.4 These lands also include surface
waters such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands, excluding areas within (but not on the shores of) the
Great Lakes.5 Federal lands and waters may be considered dominant-, dual-, or multiple-use

1 Generally, an outfitter is considered a business that provides clients with various products and services (which may
include food, shelter, horses, equipment, etc.) for a particular outdoor recreational activity. Outfitters often register and
employ guides to lead clients in these activities. For example, an outfitter may supply clients wishing to engage in a fly-
fishing trip with rods, flies, and waders, and it may engage a guide to lead clients to local fishing areas, advise on
fishing techniques, and ensure clients’ safety by monitoring local conditions. Guides also may operate independently of
outfitters.
2 What constitutes commercial activities varies depending on the federal land management agency. For example, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) defines commercial use in regulations at 43 C.F.R. §2932.5. The determination of
whether a given operation is commercial in nature typically depends on whether there is a charge in exchange for a
provided good or service—not whether the entity operates primarily in a for-profit capacity.
3 Noncommercial recreational activities on federal lands that may require permits include large gatherings, not-for-
profit athletic events (such as regattas and races), and others.
4 For more information on federal land ownership, see CRS Report R42346, Federal Land Ownership: Overview and
Data, by Carol Hardy Vincent, Lucas F. Bermejo, and Laura A. Hanson.
5 Surface waters frequently are not distinguishable from the surrounding land within federal land ownership data,
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lands, depending on the statutory authorities provided by Congress to a specific FLMA. For
example, the dominant-use mission of FWS in administering the National Wildlife Refuge
System (NWRS) is the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and associated habitats.
NPS, by contrast, has a dual-use mission: to conserve unique resources and provide for their use
and enjoyment by the public. BLM and FS have a statutorily defined mission to balance multiple
uses that may include grazing, timber, habitat and watershed protection, and energy production.
All of these statutory authorities provide for some level of outdoor recreation on the respective
federal lands. Generally, the degree to which recreation is permitted—as well as the types of
recreation allowed—is guided by agency-specific management statutes for each FLMA.
 FS manages the 193-million-acre National Forest System (NFS) in accordance
with the Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act of 1960 (MUSYA), which
authorizes outdoor recreation as a use of NFS lands, among other uses and
services.6
 BLM manages public lands for varied purposes relating to the preservation, use,
and development of the lands and natural resources (including recreation), in
accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.7
 NPS administers the National Park System for both recreational use and
preservation of park resources, a mission defined within the agency’s Organic
Act of 1916.8
 FWS manages lands within the NWRS, in accordance with the National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act, under which recreation is generally
authorized and regulated.9
Although an FLMA may have broad authority to allow a particular type of recreational activity
offered by a commercial guide and outfitter, individual land units or areas administered by the
agency may prohibit such activities. This situation could arise due to the unit’s establishing
legislation or to specific policies, management plans, or other guidance developed at the unit or
planning level. For example, although an FLMA may have the general authority to allow
commercially guided activity (e.g., whitewater rafting), the agency may choose to disallow it in
areas determined to be environmentally sensitive or unsafe for that activity.
Authorities for Specific Recreation Activities and Services
As noted above, each of the FLMAs has a primary statute governing uses of agency lands that
may include recreational activities led by commercial outfitters and guides. However, additional
authorities may apply to specific types of recreational activities offered by commercial operators.
These authorities can include specific laws, executive orders, agency policies and regulations,
and/or any guidance developed at the unit or planning level.

designation data, or designating authorities.
6 Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. §§528 et seq.). For more information on the National Forest
System (NFS), see CRS Report R42346, Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data, by Carol Hardy Vincent,
Lucas F. Bermejo, and Laura A. Hanson.
7 Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA; 43 U.S.C. §§1701 et seq.).
8 National Park Service Organic Act of 1916 (54 U.S.C. §§100101 et seq.).
9 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. §§668dd-668ee).
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For example, some commercial guides and outfitters offer clients guided off-highway vehicle
(OHV) trips across federal lands. Motorized recreation—and particularly the use of OHVs—is
largely defined and regulated pursuant to two executive orders:10
 Executive Order (E.O.) 11644 (February 8, 1972) directed agencies to develop
and issue regulations managing the use of OHVs.11
 E.O. 11989 (May 24, 1977) amended the 1972 order to exclude certain vehicles
from the definition of an OHV and provided authority to immediately close areas
if OHVs were causing or would cause considerable damage to a resource or
area.12
Commercial guides and outfitters leading OHV trips would be subject to any guidance or
regulations the agencies promulgated pursuant to these two orders.
Another example are federal laws pertaining to commercial guides and outfitters leading hunting
and fishing excursions on federal lands and waters. Federal laws related to hunting and fishing
can be specific to a particular FLMA (i.e., agency-specific authorizing statutes listed above), to a
particular species (e.g., the Migratory Bird Treaty Act), to a particular region (e.g., the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act), or a combination of those factors.13
State Requirements for Guides and Outfitters
In addition to federal requirements, commercial guides and outfitters operating on federal lands
may be subject to state-specific laws and regulations. Generally, states have their own set of
authorities that govern how outfitters conduct their businesses, regardless of whether or not their
operations primarily take place on federal lands. Compliance with state authorities is typically
considered a prerequisite for any applicants applying for FLMA-issued commercial recreation
permits.14 For example, some states require operators to be members of a trade association or
group in order to operate as a commercial guide and outfitter within the state. Other states have
licensing requirements for guides that may include mandatory training or coursework. States that
have licensing requirements for guides and outfitters typically require a license for specific
activities, such as hunting. For example, in Montana, a commercial guide must be licensed to take
people hunting or fishing for pay, but not for taking clients on hikes or float trips.15

10 For more information on motorized recreation on lands of FLMAs, see CRS Report R42920, Motorized Recreation
on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service Lands, by Carol Hardy Vincent and Katie Hoover; and CRS
Report R42955, Motorized Recreation on National Park Service Lands, by Laura B. Comay, Carol Hardy Vincent, and
Kristina Alexander.
11 E.O. 11644, “Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands,” 37 Federal Register 2877, February 8, 1972.
12 E.O. 11989, “Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands,” 42 Federal Register 26959, May 24, 1977.
13 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §§703-712) provides the federal government with the authority to regulate
the hunting of migratory birds in the United States. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA;
16 U.S.C. §§3101 et seq.) establishes requirements for both recreational (sport) and subsistence hunting and fishing on
federal lands and waters in Alaska.
14 For example, Forest Service (FS) policy indicates that the agency will not issue a permit to a commercial guide or
outfitter if the applicant “lacks the prerequisites to conduct outfitting and guiding (such as a State license, liability
insurance, and equipment).” FS, Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2709.14, Recreation Special Uses Handbook, Section
53.1c (FSH 2709.14_53.1c).
15 Mont. Code Ann. §37.47.3. See also Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, “FAQs for Board of Outfitters
Issues,” at https://www.montanaoutfitters.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-MBO-FAQ-Presentation.pdf, accessed on May
9, 2020.
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Commercial hunting and fishing guides may be subject to additional state authorities. Congress
has generally given states the right and responsibility to manage hunting and fishing on federal
lands when not in conflict with federal law.16 Certain federal statutes authorizing activities on
federal lands clarify that federal agencies shall not impede upon state authority to manage fish
and wildlife where it is not in conflict with federal law and shall align federal management with
state fish and wildlife laws and management to the maximum extent practicable.17
Permitting Process for Guides and Outfitters Across
Federal Land Management Agencies
In addition to any state requirements, commercial guides and outfitters generally are required to
obtain a federal permit to operate on lands owned and administered by the FLMAs. Over the
years, the FLMAs have used their individual authorities to issue permits to commercial guides
and outfitters, leading to varying permitting procedures among agencies. In 2004, Congress
standardized some of these processes with the passage of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (FLREA).18 Among other provisions, FLREA provided the four FLMAs (and
the Bureau of Reclamation, also within DOI) with authority to issue special recreation permits
for specialized recreation uses—including guide and outfitting operations—and to charge fees for
those permits. Under FLREA, at least 80% of the revenue collected from those fees is to be
retained and used at the site where it was generated, although the Secretaries (of DOI and USDA)
can reduce that amount to not less than 60% for a fiscal year if collections exceed reasonable
needs.19 The remaining collections are to be used agency-wide, at the agency’s discretion.20 In
practice, the agencies generally allow between 80% and 100% of fees to be used at the collecting
sites.21
Although FLREA applies to all four FLMAs (and the Bureau of Reclamation), permits for guides
and outfitters may be issued under other authorities depending on the agency, the type of
recreational activity, and the specific unit in question.22 For example, NPS issues most permits for
guides and outfitters under the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act
of 1998.23 FS and FWS also issue some recreation permits under authorities other than those
provided by FLREA.
The FLMAs have also established agency-specific regulations, policies, and other guidance
pursuant to the authorities under which they permit guide and outfitter operations. These policies

16 For more information, see CRS Report R45103, Hunting and Fishing on Federal Lands and Waters: Overview and
Issues for Congress, by R. Eliot Crafton. For more information on the role of states in the management of federal lands,
see CRS Report R44267, State Management of Federal Lands: Frequently Asked Questions, by Carol Hardy Vincent.
17 For example, P.L. 109-13 includes §6036, titled “Reaffirmation of State Regulation of Resident and Nonresident
Hunting and Fishing Act of 2005,” which states, “It is the policy of Congress that it is in the public interest for each
State to continue to regulate the taking for any purpose of fish and wildlife within its boundaries.”
18 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA; 16 U.S.C. §§6801-6814).
19 16 U.S.C. §§6806(c)(1)(A)-(B).
20 16 U.S.C. §§6806(c)(2).
21 U.S. Dept. of the Interior and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act: Third
Triennial Report to Congress, 2012, p. ix. For more information, see CRS In Focus IF10151, Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act: Overview and Issues, by Carol Hardy Vincent.
22 For example, some land units administered by FLMAs in Alaska may issue permits under the authority granted
through ANILCA (16 U.S.C. §§3101 et seq.).
23 National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-391; 54 U.S.C. §§101911-
101926).
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typically direct land managers to consider a variety of factors in determining how and whether a
permit may be issued, such as the statutory and regulatory authorities of the FLMA administering
the applicable area, the scale and type of the proposed activity, the applicable area’s land and
resource management plan(s), and other variables. Table 1 provides permitting authority,
regulation, and guidance for various activities.
Below Table 1 is a discussion of the agency-specific permitting processes for commercial guides
and outfitters across the four FLMAs. Each section includes a discussion and summary of the
types of permits issued by the agency, the authority under which they are issued, as well as any
agency policies and guidance that have been established related to permit terms, applicable fees,
and insurance requirements for guides and outfitters operating under these permits.

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Table 1. Permitting for Commercial Guides and Outfitters Across FLMAs
Primary Permitting
Permitting
Standard
Insurance
Liability Waiver
Agency
Permit Type
Authoritya
Regulations
Permit Policies/Guidanceb
Permit Feesc
Minimums
Allowance
2014 Recreation Permit and Fee
Administration Handbook Land use rental
Special Recreation Permits
BLM
(H-2930-1)
fee
(SRPs)
≥ $600,000 aggregatee
No national policy
d
16 U.S.C. §6802(h)
43 C.F.R. §2930
2007 Recreation Permits and Fees
Cost recovery
Manual (MS-2930)
Special Use Authorizations
16 U.S.C. §6802(h)
Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2700
Land use rental
36 C.F.R. §251,
FS
(SUAs)f
Various additional
fee
Subpart B
Forest Service Handbook
≥ $300,000 aggregateg No national policyh
SRPs
statutes
(FSH) 2700
Cost recovery
Commercial Activity Special
16 U.S.C. §6802(h)
50 C.F.R. §25,
FWS
Use Permits (CASUPs)
16 U.S.C. §§668dd-ee
Subpart D
—
Variesi
—j
No national policy
SRPs
16 U.S.C. §§460k-460k-4
2006 Management Policies
Chapter 10
Concessions Contracts
54 U.S.C. Ch. 1019
2018 NPS Commercial Services
Franchise fees
NPS
Commercial Use
36 C.F.R. §51
Guide
≥ $1 mil ion aggregatel
Not permitted
Authorizations (CUAs)
16 U.S.C. §6802(h)
CUA fees
Reference Manual (RM) #53
Interim Guidancek
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS).
Notes: FLMA = federal land management agency; BLM = Bureau of Land Management; FS = Forest Service; FWS = Fish and Wildlife Service; NPS = National Park
Service.
a. Generally, the authorizations and subsequent permitting requirements reflected here do not apply to federal lands in Alaska, which are largely subject to the
authorities provided in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. §§3101 et seq.).
b. The guidance referenced is agency-wide guidance. It does not reflect any regional or unit-specific guidance that may be in place.
c. The permit fees listed here are not comprehensive, but rather reflect the standard fees assessed by each agency for most commercial guide and outfitting permits.
For a discussion of the different types of fee terms, see the “Permitting Fees” heading for the individual agency sections below.
CRS-6

d. There are five types of SRPs: commercial, competitive, group event, special areas, and vending uses. Activities by guides and outfitters typically are permitted under
commercial SRPs.
e. BLM, H-2930-1, BLM Recreation Permit and Fee Administration Handbook, 2014, pp. 1-49 to 1-52. Under BLM guidance, a certificate of insurance that shows “per
occurrence” and not “annual aggregate” coverage need only carry a minimum coverage of $300,000.
f.
FS primarily authorizes commercial guides and outfitters through two types of SUAs: priority use permits and temporary use permits.
g. See FS, Exhibit 01 in 2713.1, Forest Service Manual. There is a minimum requirement of $300,000 aggregate for low-risk activities, including backpacking, nature hikes,
and Nordic skiing. Minimum coverage can be higher for high-risk activities, such as aerial activities and rafting.
h. Several FS regions have issued supplemental guidance preventing permit holders from requiring customers to sign liability forms.
i.
Except in Alaska, fees for guide and outfitting permits vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on factors such as the activity permitted and the workload required
for processing a permit. Some refuges may charge only amounts sufficient to recover costs, whereas others may charge both recovery costs and additional fees.
j.
Some individual FWS units have established guidance on insurance minimums based on activity and perceived risk.
k. NPS issued proposed regulations for CUAs in 2002 but has not finalized them. In 2005, NPS issued interim CUA guidelines to assist superintendents in issuing and
managing CUAs. Since 2005, NPS has issued additional guidance for specific components of CUA administration and permitting, which supplement and sometimes
supersede the 2005 guidance.
l.
NPS generally requires minimum general liability insurance in the amount of $1 mil ion in aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence for low-risk activities (e.g., guided
backpacking and hunting) under concessions contracts. Minimum requirements increase depending on the risk level of the associated activity. Interim guidance for
guides and outfitters operating under CUAs list general liability insurance minimums only on a per occurrence basis. Similar to concessions contracts, minimum
requirements for low-risk activities start at $500,000 per occurrence.

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U.S. Forest Service
FS, within USDA, manages the 193-million-acre NFS. MUSYA authorizes outdoor recreation as
a use of NFS lands, among other uses and services.24 Management goals for NFS lands are
articulated in Section 1 of MUSYA, which specifies that the NFS “shall be administered for
outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, and wildlife and fish purposes.” In its FY2023
budget justification, FS reports 168.2 million visits to NFS lands for recreational purposes in
2020, while managing about 33,000 permits for recreational uses.25 Of these permits, more than
13,000 are considered outfitting and guiding permits, most of which are multiyear permits that
carry over from year to year.26 On an annual basis, FS typically issues between 1,500 and 2,000
new permits for guide and outfitting services.27
Authorities and Mechanisms
FS uses a combination of special use authorizations (SUAs) and special recreation permits (SRPs)
to authorize commercial recreational activities on NFS lands. FS administers guiding and
outfitting primarily under SUAs. The authority to issue SUAs (which cover a wide variety of
uses, including recreation activities) stems from several statutes, including FLREA (16 U.S.C.
§§6801-6814).28 The authority to issue SRPs—a subset of SUAs—comes directly from FLREA.
FS also may authorize guiding and outfitting under the Term Permit Act of 1915, when the
activity operates in connection with a commercial public service site (such as a resort or lodge).29
In addition, FS has a number of concessioner-operated sites that are not included in the FLREA
authority.30
FS has promulgated permitting regulations for all types of SUAs.31 FS also has established
policies and guidance specifically for the issuance of SUAs for commercial guides and
outfitters.32 Among other provisions, these regulations delegate to district rangers the authority to
issue and revoke most SUAs and SRPs for outfitting and guiding.33
Planning Process
Any permit issued by an FS official for commercial guide and outfitting use must be consistent
with the land and resources management plan for that NFS unit.34 Need, use, capacity, and

24 P.L. 86-517, 16 U.S.C. §§528 et seq.
25 Visitation figures come from FS, FY2023 Budget Justification, p. 2 and reflect 2020 visitation figures. Permit figures
come from FS, FY2023 Budget Justification, p. 81.
26 Data provided to CRS by FS Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs, April 28, 2022.
27 FS reported issuing just over 2,000 guide and outfitter permits in 2021.
28 For a complete list of authorities that allow FS to issue special use authorizations (SUAs), see FS, Section 2710.1,
“Special Uses Management,” in Forest Service Manual (FSM), 2700. Hereinafter, manual cited as FSM.
29 16 U.S.C. §497.
30 For a complete list of federal laws that allow occupancy and use of NFS lands by entities other than FS, see FSM
2710.1.
31 36 C.F.R. §251, Subpart B.
32 FS policy guidance can be found in FSH 2709.14_50.
33 36 C.F.R. §251.53. District rangers oversee individual districts within a national forest unit, whereas forest
supervisors are responsible for an entire national forest unit.
34 FS, “Special-use Permit Application,” at https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/contracts-commercial-permits/
special-use-permit-application. See also FSH 2709.14. For lands and waters under their administration, the FS is
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allocation levels for specific guide and outfitting services typically are established prior to the
issuance of new permits.35 FS policy outlines three approaches to assess and determine these
levels: (1) needs assessment, (2) resource capacity analysis, and (3) allocation of use.36
To determine the public or agency need for authorized guide and outfitting activities at a given
unit, the agency may conduct a needs assessment. Such an assessment may consider a variety of
factors, such as accessibility, size of the area, difficulty of the terrain, current levels of outfitting
and guiding, and demographics of visitors to the area.37 Should existing levels of commercial
recreation use indicate an adverse impact on resource conditions, FS may conduct a resource
capacity analysis to assess “the amount of use and types of activities that may be conducted
without detrimental environmental and associated impacts.”38 If FS identifies both a need and an
ability to accommodate commercial guides and outfitters, managers are to determine the
allocation of use for potential operators.39 This pool of recreational use then may be allocated
between non-outfitted visitors and commercial guide and outfitting operators. Allocations for
commercial guide and outfitting also may be further apportioned between priority use and
temporary use permits.
Permit Terms
FS primarily authorizes commercial guides and outfitters through two types of SUAs: priority use
permits and temporary use permits. Priority use permits typically are intended for ongoing
commercial guide and outfitter operations and are issued for a period of up to 10 years, subject to
noncompetitive renewal.40 Temporary use permits typically are used for operators looking for
one-time or short-term use of FS lands, and they are not eligible for renewal. FS allocates
temporary use permits in increments of 50 service days, up to a maximum of 200 service days,
with one temporary use permit issued per 180 days, per holder, per use area.41 Temporary use
permits are issued noncompetitively to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
FS allocates guide and outfitting permits between priority and temporary use pools based on
various factors, including visitor needs, agency goals, and current levels of use. New priority and
temporary use permits for guides and outfitters may be issued when new or additional capacity is

required to develop a management plan that serves as the principal document that guides the decision making of FS
managers for a given site. These plans provide long-term management direction for the resources and uses within a
given FS unit.
35 FSH 2709.14_53.1f. Need, use, capacity, and allocation levels typically are established in the land and resources
management plan for that NFS unit (e.g., in a programmatic decision pursuant to a wilderness plan, wild and scenic
river plan, or plan for another type of congressionally designated area).
36 FSH 2709.14_53.1f.
37 FSH 2709.14_53.1f(1).
38 FSH 2709.14_53.1f(2).
39 FSH 2709.14_53.1f(3).
40 FSH 2709.14_53.1e. Priority use permits were previously issued for a period of up to 5 years, but the agency adopted
the 10-year permit term in 2005 to make outfitting and guiding permits consistent with the policies of the National Park
Service (NPS) and BLM (FS, “Maximum Term for Outfitter and Guide Special Use Permits on National Forest System
Lands,” 70 Federal Register 19727, April 14, 2005). New priority use permits also may be issued for a period of two
years with an option to extend for up to eight years based on satisfactory compliance with permit terms and existing
land management plans. This interim permit is typically intended for new applicants with no or limited experience
providing outfitting and guiding services authorized under the priority use permit.
41 FSH 2709.14_53.1k. FS defines service day as “An allocation of use constituting a day or any part of a day on
National Forest System lands for which an outfitter or guide provides services to a client. The total number of service
days is calculated by multiplying each service day by the number of clients on the trip” (FSH 2709.14_53.1e).
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determined; an existing permit is revoked, terminated, or otherwise not reissued to the permit
holder; or competitive interest in an area or activity arises.42 If competitive interest exists, FS may
issue a prospectus to potential applicants and select the guide or outfitter competitively. Selection
criteria for competitive permits generally are based on the kind and quality of service proposed,
applicant experience, verification of financial resources, and potential fees returned to the federal
government.43
Permitting Fees
With some exceptions, FS permitting fees for guides and outfitters vary on a case-by-case basis.44
Generally, commercial guides and outfitters operating under a priority use permit pay FS a land-
use rental fee of approximately 3% of their adjusted gross revenue (defined by FS as “gross
revenue and revenue additions less applicable exclusions”).45 Such exclusions or adjustments may
apply to specific revenue generated from operations on non-FS lands. However, not all revenue
from goods or services provided on non-FS lands is excluded from the adjusted gross revenue
calculation. For example, a commercial guide who led a multiday hunt on FS lands but provided
lodging and meals off-site would be subject to a permitting fee based on the total revenue
collected as part of the offered package; this is because such lodging and meals were provided in
connection with the guided trip on FS lands. A flat land-use fee of $150 per 50 service days
applies to temporary use permits.46 Guide and outfitter permit fees for operations in Alaska are
determined under a flat fee system.47
In addition to the land-use rental fee, FS also may charge a cost-recovery fee.48 This cost-
recovery fee covers the administrative and personnel costs associated with issuing recreation
permits. These fees apply if the permit takes more than 50 hours to process or monitor.49 In some
cases, cost-recovery fees for guide and outfitter permits may be substantial—for example, in
instances where extensive environmental analysis or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
requirements apply.
In addition to the land-use fee and any applicable cost-recovery fees, FS may charge fees for a
variety of other purposes, depending on the special use in question. These fees include assigned
site fees for operators occupying specific sites on an annual basis, grazing fees when outfitting
activities require animals to graze on FS lands, and transfer fees for when there is a change of
ownership and a new authorization is issued.

42 FSH 2709.14_53.1h.
43 FSH 2709.14_53.1h(3).
44 FSH 2709.11_37.
45 FSH 2709.11_37.21c.
46 For a table of land-use fees by service days, refer to FSH 2709.11_37.21b. This flat fee structure places limits on
maximum gross revenue for each bracket of service days. Should gross revenue exceed these amounts, the 3% fee
model would be applied.
47 FSH 2709.11 Region 10 (Alaska) Supplement.
48 36 C.F.R. §251.58.
49 36 C.F.R. §251.58(g). Additional guidance on cost recovery can be found at FSH 2709.11_31.31.
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Insurance and Liability
FS has issued policies on insurance requirements for SUA permitting generally, which apply to
guides and outfitters operating under SUAs.50 The policies require general liability insurance for
permittees based on the likelihood and severity of injury.51 FS also has established minimum
coverage amounts for liability insurance for specific guide and outfitter activities. Minimum
limits start at $300,000 aggregate coverage for low-risk activities (e.g., backpacking, Nordic
skiing, nature hikes).52 FS regulations delegate the authority to issue and revoke most SUAs and
SRPs to district rangers, who may require additional forms of insurance or higher minimum
coverage, depending on the applicant.53
FS does not have a service-wide policy regarding the use of liability waivers for commercial
recreation operators. However, several FS regions have issued supplemental guidance preventing
permit holders from requiring customers to sign such a form.54 For example, one FS region issued
supplemental guidance specifically for guides and outfitters that reads, “The permit holder will
not request or require persons served to sign a liability waiver for activities authorized by this
permit.”55 This guidance allows permit holders to require visitor acknowledgement-of-risk (VAR)
forms, so long as the issuing forest officer submits and approves those forms.56 Some regions
have prohibited liability waivers in most cases but allowed them for “high-risk recreation events,”
so long as the waivers “do not attempt to require participants to waive their rights to sue for any
cause beyond ordinary negligence.”57
Bureau of Land Management
BLM manages public lands for varied purposes relating to the preservation, use, and development
of the lands and natural resources, in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976.58 These purposes include livestock grazing, timber harvesting, fish and wildlife
conservation, cultural resources protection, energy and mineral development, and recreational
use. According to BLM, in FY2022, an estimated 73 million visitors recreated on BLM lands.59
As of 2021, BLM manages more than 3,400 developed recreation sites and areas and administers
more than 4,700 permits for commercial, competitive, and organized group activities.60 Of these

50 Forest Service Manual (FSM), 2713.1.
51 FSM 2713.1(2)(d).
52 FSM 2713.1, Exhibit 01.
53 36 C.F.R. §251.53. FSM 2713.1(2)(d) clarifies that regional foresters may increase the minimum coverage amount
“on the basis of the amount of use, likelihood and severity of injury, protection of forest visitors, potential liability of
the United States, and cost of the insurance.”
54 Regional foresters, forest supervisors, and other authorized officials may, at times, supplement service-wide direction
with additional guidance. Under FS policy, supplements may be more restrictive than parent material but cannot
expand the authorities or relax restrictions unless approved in writing by the next higher official.
55 FSH 2709.11_53, Region 3 Supplement, p. 24, at https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r3/fsh/2709.11/
2709.11_53.doc. The NFS is organized into administrative regions. FS Region 3, the Southwestern Region, includes
Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Oklahoma and Texas.
56 If the visitor acknowledgment-of-risk form deviates from the standard preapproved language, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Office of the General Counsel must review the language prior to use.
57 FSH 2709.11_10, Region 6 Supplement, p. 8, at https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r6pnw/fsh/2709.11/2709-
11-10.doc.
58 FLPMA (43 U.S.C. §§1701 et seq.).
59 BLM, FY2022 Budget Justification, p. I-3.
60 BLM, FY2022 Budget Justification, p. V-65.
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4,700 permits, BLM has issued roughly 4,200 specifically for commercial use, the majority of
which are for guide and outfitting purposes.61
Authorities and Mechanisms
BLM typically authorizes the use of agency lands by commercial guides and outfitters through
the use of SRPs under the authority provided in FLREA. Other BLM land uses are permitted
under other authorities and processes.62
There are five different types of SRPs: commercial, competitive, group event, special areas, and
vending uses. Activities by guides and outfitters typically are permitted as commercial SRPs.63
BLM promulgated regulations regarding the administration of SRPs in 2002 and amended these
regulations in 2007.64 BLM also has established agency-wide policies and guidance specifically
for the issuance of SRPs to commercial guides and outfitters.65
Planning Process
According to BLM policy, SRPs are issued as a means to control visitor use, protect recreational
and natural resources, and provide for visitors’ health and safety.66 Any SRP issued by BLM for
commercial guide and outfitting use must be consistent with the resource management plan
(RMP) for that unit.67 BLM manuals and handbooks provide additional guidance on planning for
recreation resources and activities as part of the RMP process.68
Through the RMP process, BLM may establish allocation systems or desired use levels for
commercial recreational activities for a given site or area. Various factors might influence
whether BLM approves an SRP application, including whether a proposed activity complies with
existing land-use plans or designations, the results of an environmental analysis, and/or an
applicant’s past performance.69 Generally, BLM issues SRPs on a first-come, first-served basis
until the desired use level is reached. However, if an authorized official determines there is
sufficient interest for a limited number of available permits, BLM may issue commercial SRPs on
a competitive basis. When an area’s desired use level is reached, no additional permits are issued.

61 Data provided to CRS by BLM Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs, April 2022. According to BLM,
these totals may include entities that would not be considered a commercial guide or outfitter; however, this reflects a
small percentage of the overall total figure.
62 See, for instance, provisions of FLPMA at 43 U.S.C. §1732(b), which authorize BLM to regulate the use of land
through leases, licenses, and “other instruments.”
63 In the past, BLM issued longer-term concession recreation agreements and concessions leases, citing authority under
both FLREA (16 U.S.C. §§6801-6814) and FLPMA. However, a March 2015 report from the Department of the
Interior’s (DOI’s) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found BLM was incorrectly administering these agreements
and did “not have a clear concession program authority” to issue such leases while retaining the associated permitting
fees. DOI, OIG, Review of Bureau of Land Management’s Concession Management Practices, March 2015, p. 1, at
https://www.doioig.gov/reports/evaluation/review-bureau-land-managements-concession-management-practices.
64 See 43 C.F.R. §2932.
65 BLM, MS-2930, Recreation Permits and Fees, 2007; and BLM, H-2930-1, Recreation Permit and Fee
Administration Handbook, 2014.
66 BLM, H-2930-1, p. vii.
67 Resource management plans are land use plans developed through public engagement establishing goals and
objectives to guide future land and resource management actions implemented by BLM.
68 BLM, MS-8320, Planning for Recreation and Visitor Services (Public), 2011; and BLM, H-8320-1, Recreation and
Visitor Services Planning Handbook, 2014.
69 To see a full list of factors considered in the issuance of SRPs, see BLM, H-2930-1, p. 1-9.
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New permits may be made available only when additional capacity is determined; an existing
permit is revoked, terminated, or otherwise not reissued to the permit holder; or new areas for use
become available.70
Permit Terms
Permits may be issued for periods of up to 10 years, depending on such things as the type of
outfitting activity proposed, the area in which the activity is to occur, existing and future resource
conditions, and the potential permittee’s past record.71 BLM may issue one or more one-year
permits prior to issuing a longer-term permit. These one-year permits often serve as an evaluation
period whereby successful performance by the permit holder determines if the permit will be
authorized for additional years.72 BLM reserves the right to revoke or alter the terms and
conditions of the permit.73 Expiring commercial SRPs may be renewed at BLM’s discretion, and
BLM may offer preference to current permit holders seeking renewal when capacity is limited.74
Permitting Fees
As is the case with FS, commercial guides and outfitters operating under a BLM-issued SRP must
pay an annual land-use rental fee. The use fee for commercial SRPs is approximately 3% of the
permit holder’s adjusted gross revenue or a minimum yearly fee of $115, whichever is greater.
BLM published the most recent adjustments to the minimum fee schedule in August 2020 and
transmitted them in a subsequent BLM instruction memorandum.75 Like FS, BLM provides for
adjustments in calculating the 3% gross revenue fee; such adjustments include deductions for
specific revenue generated from operations on nonfederal lands and other travel and lodging
costs.
BLM also may charge a fee for cost recovery if more than 50 hours of staff time are required to
process and administer a commercial SRP.76 Similar to commercial permits issued by FS, BLM
may require additional fees (such as assigned site fees, exclusive use fees, or special area fees)
based on the type of activity, area of use, or management objectives.
Insurance and Liability
BLM regulations require commercial SRP applicants to obtain liability insurance that the agency
“judges sufficient to protect the public and the United States.”77 The regulations do not establish
insurance minimums or risk classifications for guide and outfitter activities. BLM issued

70 BLM, H-2930-1, p. 1-10.
71 43 C.F.R. §2932.42; BLM, H-2930-1, pp. 1-16 to 1-17. BLM promulgated regulations in 2004 that changed the
maximum term of an SRP from 5 years to 10 years (69 Federal Register 5702, February 6, 2004).
72 BLM, H-2930-1, pp. 1-16 to 1-17.
73 See 43 C.F.R. §2933.32 for when BLM may suspend or revoke an existing SRP.
74 BLM, H-2930-1, p. 1-18.
75 BLM, 85 Federal Register 47400, August 5, 2020, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-08-05/pdf/
2020-17052.pdf. See also BLM, “Automatic Adjustment of Minimum Special Recreation Permit Fees and Assigned
Site Fees,” Instruction Memorandum 2020-032, at https://www.blm.gov/policy/im-2020-032.
76 43 C.F.R. §2932.31(e). This regulation limits cost-recovery charges to “BLM’s costs of issuing the permit, including
necessary environmental documentation, on-site monitoring, and permit enforcement. Programmatic or general land
use plan NEPA documentation are not subject to cost-recovery charges, except if the documentation work done was
done for or provides special benefits or services to an identifiable individual applicant.”
77 43 C.F.R. §2932.43.
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guidance in 2014 that set minimum requirements starting at $600,000 aggregate coverage for
low-risk events or activities (e.g., group camping, orienteering, backpacking).78 Moderate- and
high-risk activities have annual aggregate minimums of $1 million and $2 million or greater,
respectively.79 Under these guidelines, BLM also requires permittees to obtain insurance that
covers a minimum of $30,000 in property damage; however, this coverage may be included in an
annual aggregate or per occurrence policy.80 BLM guidance notes that additional coverage may
be required, depending on special circumstances.
BLM does not have a formal policy regarding liability waivers for guides and outfitters operating
under commercial SRPs (or other SRPs issued by the agency). According to BLM, some
permittees require their customers to sign a liability form, others use VAR forms, and some do not
require any acknowledgment-of-risk forms or liability waivers.81
National Park Service
NPS administers the National Park System for both recreational use and preservation of park
resources, a mission that can be contradictory. The NPS Organic Act of 1916 directs the service to
manage its lands so as “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild
life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as
will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”82 In 2021 (the most recent
year of data), NPS reported more than 297 million visitors to national parklands.83 NPS manages
almost 500 concession contracts and 6,500 commercial use authorizations (CUAs) with private
sector operators to provide commercial visitor services.84 Of these, roughly 300 concessions
contracts and 4,200 CUAs were specifically for commercial guide and outfitter purposes in
FY2021.85
Authorities and Mechanisms
Like the other federal land management agencies, NPS has authority to issue special recreation
permits under FLREA. However, NPS typically uses different authorities to permit guides and
outfitters. NPS handles most permits for guides and outfitters as either concessions contracts or
CUAs under the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998,
which predates the authority provided by FLREA.86 Concessions contracts are long-term
agreements that are used to authorize lodges, restaurants, services, or other visitor services

78 BLM, H-2930-1, pp. I-50 to I-51. The handbook, on p. I-50, defines riskiness as follows: “Authorized uses are
considered low risk when injuries generally associated with authorized activities are unlikely to result in death or
permanent disability. Authorized uses are considered high risk when injuries generally associated with authorized
activities may result in death or permanent disability.”
79 BLM identifies moderate-risk activities to include whitewater boating, mountain bike races, rock climbing (with
ropes), and commercial hunting. High-risk activities include bungee jumping, unaided rock climbing, heli-skiing, or
aerial or aviation-assisted activities.
80 A certificate of insurance that shows damage per occurrence (including property damage, bodily injury, or death),
and not annual aggregate coverage, need only carry a minimum coverage of $300,000.
81 Personal communication between CRS and BLM Office of Legislative Affairs, May 31, 2019.
82 Aug. 25, 1916, ch. 408, §1, 39 Stat. 535. Codified at 54 U.S.C. §100101.
83 NPS, FY2023 Budget Justification, p. Overview-2.
84 NPS, FY2023 Budget Justification, p. ONPS-57.
85 Personal communication between CRS and NPS Office of Legislative Affairs, April 28, 2022.
86 P.L. 105-391; 54 U.S.C. Chapter 1019.
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(including guide and outfitter services), typically operated by private companies using NPS-
owned facilities and resources on park lands. By contrast, commercial use authorizations (CUAs)
are short-term agreements between NPS and commercial service providers for activities that
typically begin and end outside of park boundaries. The majority of guide and outfitter operators
are authorized under CUAs; depending on the services offered and the operators’ usage of park
resources, a concessions contract may be more appropriate.
Several factors govern whether a CUA may be used for commercial guiding and outfitting or
whether the more extensive requirements of a concessions contract must be used. CUAs are
limited to (1) commercial operations with annual gross receipts of not more than $25,000
resulting from services originating and provided solely within a park unit; (2) the incidental use
of park resources by operators that provide services originating and terminating outside of park
boundaries; (3) use by organized children’s camps, outdoor clubs, and nonprofit institutions
(including backcountry use); and (4) such other uses as the DOI Secretary deems appropriate.87 In
addition, certain guiding and outfitting activities conducted by nonprofit entities for
noncommercial purposes may be authorized under special use permits (SUPs) issued by NPS.88
NPS issued final regulations governing concessions contracts in 2000.89 NPS issued proposed
regulations for CUAs in 2002 but never finalized these regulations.90 Currently, NPS relies on
agency guidance updated in December 2021, in administering CUAs. Agency manuals and orders
provide further policy guidance for both concessions contracts and CUAs.91 The DOI Secretary
delegates the authority to issue and rescind permits to park superintendents and authorized
officials at the unit level.
Planning Process
Similar to permits from FS and BLM, any permit issued by an NPS official for commercial
guiding and outfitting use must be consistent with the management plan for that park unit. Under
both a CUA and a concessions contract, the activity must have a minimal impact on park
resources and values, and it must be consistent with the purposes for which the unit was
established.92 Both CUAs and concessions contracts must be determined to be appropriate uses of
the park, and concessions must be both necessary and appropriate.93
Increased recreation on NPS lands has fueled disagreements over the extent to which national
park lands should be used for recreational activities under NPS’s dual mission of resource
protection and recreational use. In situations where authorized officials determine continued
commercial use poses potential impairments to the visitor experience and to park resources and
values, NPS may limit commercial activities. For CUAs, NPS may establish operational

87 54 U.S.C. §101925(c).
88 Under the 1998 concessions law (54 U.S.C. §101925(d)), nonprofit institutions are required to obtain CUAs—not
special use permits (SUPs)—only when they generate taxable income from the authorized use.
89 36 C.F.R. Part 51.
90 NPS, “Commercial Use Authorizations,” 67 Federal Register 70899, November 27, 2002.
91 For NPS guidance on concessions contracts and CUAs, see NPS, Commercial Services Guide, 2018 (updated in
2021). See also, NPS, Chapter 10, “Commercial Visitor Services,” in Management Policies 2006; NPS, “Director’s
Order #53: Special Park Uses,” 2010; NPS, “Reference Manual #53,” 2009; and NPS, Section 8.6, “Special Park
Uses,” in Management Policies 2006.
92 54 U.S.C. §101912.
93 See 54 U.S.C. §101912 and 54 U.S.C. §101925.
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requirements that limit use and impacts.94 Alternatively, NPS may choose to limit the number of
issued CUAs. If NPS opts to limit the number of issued CUAs, a competitive proposal and
selection process is required and must be repeated at least every two years.95 The decision to limit
the number of CUAs must accord with park enabling legislation, NPS management policies, and
existing planning documents.96 In addition, the decision must be reviewed through appropriate
compliance processes.
Permit Terms
For guiding and outfitting activities authorized under a concessions contract, NPS regulations set
out the process and timeline for awarding the contracts.97 A concessions contract generally must
go through a public solicitation process, but under the 1998 concessions law, concessions
contracts for guides and outfitters may qualify for a preferential right of renewal at the end of a
contract’s term.98 Concessions contracts typically are awarded for a term of 10 years or less.
For guiding and outfitting activities authorized under a CUA, NPS management policies establish
the process and guidelines for issuing CUAs.99 CUAs do not need to go through a public
solicitation process but may be issued by NPS upon request (at NPS’s discretion and with
reference to the factors discussed above). NPS issues CUAs for a term of no more than two years,
and provides no preferential right of renewal.
Permitting Fees
For guiding and outfitting activities authorized under a concessions contract, NPS establishes a
concessions franchise fee as part of the contract. The 1998 concessions law and NPS regulations
govern the establishment of the franchise fees.100 Under the law, 80% of the fees are retained at
the park where they are collected and may be used for visitor services and high-priority resource
management activities. The remaining 20% of the fees are deposited in a special account to
support activities throughout the park system.101
For guiding and outfitting activities authorized under a CUA, the 1998 concessions law and
agency guidelines require the superintendent to charge a “reasonable fee” for the CUA.102 The
fees remain available for expenditure by the superintendent to recover, at a minimum, associated

94 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.10, 2018.
95 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.10.3, 2018.
96 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.10.2, 2018.
97 36 C.F.R. Part 51.
98 54 U.S.C. §101913(7)-(8).
99 NPS, Chapter 10.3, “Commercial Use Authorizations,” in Management Policies 2006.
100 54 U.S.C. §101917. Regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R. Part 51, Subpart I. Under NPS regulations, the director
determines franchise fees upon consideration of “the probable value to the concessioner of the privileges granted by the
contract involved. This probable value will be based upon a reasonable opportunity for net profit in relation to capital
invested and the obligations of the contract” (36 C.F.R. §51.78(a)).
101 54 U.S.C. §101917(c). Although the 80-20 retention formula for franchise fees under the NPS concessions law is
similar to the retention requirements under FLREA, the provisions of FLREA differ in a number of ways. For example,
under FLREA, the Secretaries (of DOI and USDA) can reduce the retention amount to not less than 60% for a fiscal
year. In addition, FLREA includes more specific requirements and limitations on the usage of retained fees as
compared to the NPS concessions law (see 16 U.S.C. §6807 for information on eligible FLREA expenditures).
102 54 U.S.C. §101925(b)(2). The law requires that the fee, at a minimum, “recover associated management and
administrative costs.”
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management and administrative costs. Under agency guidelines, a reasonable fee is defined as
either the fee to recover the full cost of providing the benefit or the market price.103 Parks may
choose one of these two methods to establish a reasonable fee, so long as the market price fee
complies with the statutory requirement of covering, at a minimum, the management and
administrative costs of issuing the CUA.104 NPS also charges a mandatory, one-time, application
fee that covers the administrative costs associated with reviewing and approving or denying
applications for CUAs.105
Insurance and Liability
For concessions contracts, NPS develops insurance requirements on a contract-by-contract basis.
NPS works with a contracted insurance consultant who “uses detailed information on the specific
activity, as well as current industry data and practices, to identify appropriate levels of insurance
based on the risk associated with the particular concession operation.”106 NPS policy establishes
commercial liability insurance minimums for certain Category III concessions contracts based on
high-, medium-, and low-risk activities.107 Most guide and outfitter operators are authorized under
Category III contracts, which NPS considers as those entered into by small-scale concessioners
with no contractual agreement to construct capital improvements on parklands or to conduct
primary business operations on NPS-assigned land or in government buildings. For example,
under these guidelines, NPS regional directors must require a minimum of $1 million aggregate
insurance coverage for low-risk activities (e.g., guided backpacking and hunting) for certain
Category III guide and outfitter operations.108 Higher minimums apply for some activities
classified as medium-risk (e.g., guided horse rides) and high-risk (e.g., guided mountaineering).
NPS policy also requires guides and outfitters operating under CUAs to have commercial liability
insurance.109 Minimum insurance requirements generally follow the policies in place for
concessions contracts.110 As with concessions contracts, CUA insurance minimums may be
adjusted on a case-by-case basis depending on the activity and park unit in question.
NPS has a policy prohibiting concessioners from requiring customers to sign a liability waiver
form. However, NPS policy authorizes concessioners to use VAR forms.111 In instances where a
concessioner operates across multiple jurisdictions, NPS policy permits concessioners to combine

103 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.6, 2018.
104 In scenarios in which the market price is higher than cost recovery, NPS may charge that higher amount, even if
doing so would result in net revenue to the park.
105 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.6.1, 2018.
106 Statement of Peggy O’Dell, Deputy Director, NPS, in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Natural Resources,
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, Concession Contract Issues for Outfitters, Guides and
Smaller Concessions, 112th Cong., 2nd sess., August 2, 2012 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2012), at https://www.doi.gov/
ocl/hearings/112/Special-Use-Permits-08-02-12.
107 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §4.3.8, 2018.
108 The guidelines clarify that discretion is afforded to individual park units to require minimum coverage that is higher
than those outlined for Category III contracts. For a more detailed discussion of how NPS liability insurance minimums
compare with those of the other FLMAs, see James Lynch, “Pushing the Limits: An Examination of Liability Insurance
Limits for National Park Service Concessioners,” America Outdoors Association, December 28, 2011, at
https://www.americaoutdoors.org/assets/1/27/12-28-11_AOA_Whitepaper_on_NPS_Liability_Insurance_Limits.pdf?
5609.
109 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.9, 2018.
110 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.9.1, 2018.
111 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §6.9.5, 2018.
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the VAR with another agency’s waiver of liability (if permitted) to streamline paperwork and
increase operational flexibility.112 Similar policies regarding the prohibition on the use of liability
waivers by concessions contractors apply to CUA holders.113
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
FWS administers land for a variety of purposes. The majority of FWS lands are within the
National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS).114 On lands within the NWRS, recreation is generally
authorized and regulated through the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act.115 The
Refuge Recreation Act also authorizes recreation within the NWRS, in national fish hatcheries,
and in certain other conservation areas.116
Recreation on NWRS lands generally is allowed when compatible with the mission and purpose
for which the lands were set aside. For the NWRS, “the mission of the system is to administer a
national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate,
restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for
the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.”117 When compatible, wildlife-
dependent recreation is considered a priority use of the NWRS.118 FWS does not uniformly report
the number of commercial recreation permits it issues across the NWRS; generally, the agency
has issued fewer permits for guide and outfitting operations than the other FLMAs.119
Authorities and Mechanisms
FWS uses a combination of SUPs and SRPs to permit guides and outfitters operating on lands
within the NWRS. Most often, FWS issues commercial activity special use permits (CASUPs) for
guiding and outfitting services. These permits are issued under several authorities.120 However,
specific refuges are approved to collect entrance and special use fees (including recreation fees)
under FLREA. At those refuges, refuge managers use the FLREA authority to issue SRPs for
guiding and outfitting services.121
FWS treats SRPs as being essentially the same as CASUPs, and the application processes are
similar. However, FWS treats the SRP permit fees differently than the CASUP permit fees (see

112 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §6.9.5, 2018.
113 NPS, Commercial Services Guide, §11.9.4, 2018.
114 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), “Statistical Data Tables for Fish & Wildlife Service Lands (as of
9/30/2021),” at https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2021-annual-report-of-lands-with-data-tables_2.pdf.
115 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. §§668dd-668ee).
116 Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. §§460k-460k-4).
117 16 U.S.C. §668dd(a)(2).
118 16 U.S.C. §668dd(a).
119 Personal communication between CRS and the FWS Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs, April 2022.
FWS indicated that it issued at least 2,600 commercial permits for the activities of hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing,
tours, air transport, and other commercial recreation activities in the National Wildlife Refuge System from FY2014 to
present. These may include guide and outfitter activities, but FWS does not have a way to identify the number of
permits issued specifically for these purposes.
120 Commercial activity special use permits are issued under authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act (16 U.S.C. §§668dd-668ee, as amended); the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. §§460k-460k-4);
and, in Alaska, ANILCA (16 U.S.C. §§3101 et seq.).
121 16 U.S.C. §6802(h). According to the 2015 FLREA triennial report to Congress, DOI reported that of the roughly
560 national wildlife refuges, approximately 140 charge fees under FLREA.
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“Permitting Fees,” below). FWS has promulgated regulations for the issuance of both types of
permits.122 Among other things, the regulations give individual refuge managers the authority to
issue and revoke permits.
Planning Process
When compatible with the NWRS’s mission and an individual unit’s purpose, wildlife-dependent
recreation—defined as “hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, or environmental
education and interpretation”—is considered a legitimate, priority public use.123 FWS policy
guides how a compatibility determination should be made for specific recreational uses on a
refuge.124 Commercial use (including commercial recreational use) at or on a refuge may be
considered compatible if it directly supports a priority general public use, if it is specifically
authorized by statute, or if it is a “refuge management economic activity.”125
Permit Terms
Generally, FWS issues permits for a specific period as determined by the type and location of the
use or service provided. Refuge-specific special conditions also may be required for the issuance
of a permit. For refuges in Alaska, FWS may award permits competitively when the number of
available permits is limited. A prospectus with an invitation-to-bid system is the primary
competitive method used for selecting commercial visitor services. Both competitive and
noncompetitive permits issued in Alaska are limited to up to five years.126
Permitting Fees
Except in Alaska, fees for guide and outfitting permits vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on
factors such as the activity permitted and the workload of the permit processing. Unlike FS,
BLM, and NPS, FWS does not have a specific policy for how to assess fees for commercial
recreation permits. Instead, FWS relies on a broad policy that requires the agency to consider cost
recovery and fair market value when providing goods, resources, or services to a non-FWS
entity.127 In accordance with this policy, some refuges may charge only amounts sufficient to
recover costs, whereas others may charge both recovery costs and additional fees when issuing
permits for commercial recreation services. Permit fees in Alaska are based on client use days,
and permits issued for commercial uses in Alaska are subject to a $100 administrative fee.128

122 50 C.F.R. Part 25, Subpart D.
123 16 U.S.C. §668dd(a)(3).
124 FWS, Manual 603, National Wildlife Refuge System Uses, Section 2.6(A), 2000, at https://www.fws.gov/policy/
603fw2.html.
125 FWS Manual 603 Section 1.10(D)(8). 50 C.F.R. §25.12 defines a refuge management economic activity as “a refuge
management activity on a national wildlife refuge which results in generation of a commodity which is or can be sold
for income or revenue or traded for goods or services. Examples include: Farming, grazing, haying, timber harvesting,
and trapping.”
126 50 C.F.R. §36.41(e)(2) and §36.41(e)(10).
127 FWS Manual 264 Section 1. This broad policy is in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular No. A-25, which established federal policy for executive agencies regarding fees assessed for government
services and for sale or use of government goods or resources (OMB, “Circular A-25 Revised, Transmittal
Memorandum #1, User Charges,” July 8, 1993).
128 50 C.F.R. §36.41(f). See also FWS, “Revised Special Use Permit Feeds for Commercial Guiding, Outfitting, and
Transporting Operations on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska,” at https://doifws.prod.acquia-sites.com/guidance/
guidance/sites/guidance/files/documents/revised%20special%20use%20permit%20fees%20for%20guiding%20AK.pdf.
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Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands: Background and Permitting Processes

Insurance and Liability
FWS does not have formal general liability requirements for commercial guide and outfitter
operators. However, individual refuges have, at times, identified minimum liability requirements
for guides and outfitters for their station, based on the type of use and local conditions. For
example, the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge requires all guides to furnish proof of liability
insurance, with a minimum of $300,000 general liability/occurrence and $500,000 general
liability/aggregate for certain commercial operations.129
FWS does not have a Service-wide policy regarding the use of liability waivers for commercial
recreation operators. According to FWS, the Service neither generally requires nor generally
prohibits the use of waiver forms or acknowledgement-of-risk forms.130
Concluding Thoughts and Further Reading
The four major FLMAs issue permits to commercial guides and outfitters under multiple
authorities. Depending on the authority, a permit holder may be subject to different terms, fees,
and requirements to operate on federal lands. The processes established by the agencies to
determine the amount and type of commercial use authorized under such a permit must accord
with the multiple other existing statutes or authorities that guide federal land management. In
addition, since the FLMAs often manage lands that are close or adjacent to one another, some
guide and outfitter operators may be subject to multiple permitting processes should their
operations cross agency jurisdictions. These factors and others can make it difficult to determine
how and when commercial guides and outfitters may operate in U.S. forests, parks, and
waterways.
The various FLMA permitting processes have been a point of interest for many in Congress, the
Administration, and the outfitting industry. As a result, understanding the considerations and
requirements outlined in this report—as well as the broader role of commercial guides and
outfitters on federal lands—may be helpful should Congress consider further legislative action.
For more information regarding legislative issues related to commercial guides and outfitters on
federal lands, as well as other issues related to commercial recreation on federal lands addressed
within this report, see CRS Report R46381, Guides and Outfitters on Federal Lands: Issues and
Legislation in the 116th Congress in Brief.

Author Information

Mark K. DeSantis

Analyst in Natural Resources Policy

129 FWS, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, “Special Use Permits,” at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kodiak/special-use-
permits.
130 Personal communication between CRS and FWS Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs, June 24, 2019.
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Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to
copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

Congressional Research Service
R46380 · VERSION 4 · UPDATED
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