Permits & Reservations

A special park use is a short-term activity that takes place in a park area and typically provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization, or a First Amendment cause, rather than the public at large. Park specific rules and regulations including First Amendment Demonstrations are found in the Superintendent's Compendium. These policies are in place to protect the visitors and the wonderful resources of Alagnak Wild River. Please do your part to protect this special place.The National Park Service may permit a special park use providing the activity will not cause derogation of the park's resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purpose for which the park was established. Primary consideration will be given to potential resource damage and to anticipated disruption of normal public use. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, all applications will be considered, but a minimum of fourteen business days in advance is recommended for permit submissions.

Types of activities that sometimes require special use permits:

• Filming projects that involve more than five people, in wilderness locations, or more extensive filming equipment.

• Weddings and religious ceremonies

• Sporting events and many other organized gatherings and events

• Public assemblies, demonstrations, speechmaking, and distributing printed materials

All areas are open to scattering of human ashes (cremains) without a permit except for developed areas, campgrounds, and park facilities. The excepted areas or other circumstances require a permit or authorization. How do I apply for a permit and when? Please submit your inquiry or application at least 14 business days in advance of your activity.

• Special Use Permit application (5 or fewer participants, minimal equipment)
• Special Use Permit application (6+ participants or substantial equipment needs)

Email the permit coordinator for more information (with “Special Use Permit” in the subject line). [e-mail] or call with questions at: 907-246-2113

General Conditions Applying to All Permits

• Access for other park visitors must not be impeded. Events must not impact park resources or impede a positive visitor experience for others.
• Park entrance fees apply to all vehicles associated with the permitted event or activity.
• Depending on location and time of day, request may be denied during periods of heavy use (such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, or weekends).
• The permit holder is required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and codes.

Film and Still Photography Permits

In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

• Occurs in areas open to the public;

• Uses hand-carried equipment only;

• Does not require exclusive use of a site;

• Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and

• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS.

Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.

When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.

Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.

Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required. Permits are not guaranteed, and you should wait for final approval before making plans for travel and accommodations.

• Form 10-931 is the short application. This can be used when the production is 1-2 days in duration with cast and crew fewer than 5.

• Form 10-932 is the longer application. This must be used when the production is more than 2 days in duration, requires multiple locations, and utilizes talent and/or cast/crew/support staff is greater than 5.

Location fees as well as cost of recovery fees will be charged. These fees are dependent on the size of the production and the number of days filming takes place in the park.

Special stipulations for filming at Alagnak include (but are not limited to):·

• Group size cannot exceed 15 people total

• Backcountry Camping restrictions are 14 days in any one location and food storage and human waste removal requirements must be met.

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are constitutional rights. However, federal regulations recognize that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably managed to protect park resources. The authority to manage these activities is 36 CFR §2.51 and §2.52. The tool used to manage these activities is a Special Use Permit. First Amendment activities include, but are not limited to:

• Public demonstrations, picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils, etc.
• Religious services
• Distribution and/or sale of printed matter or other message bearing items that are related to the above activities and are not solely commercial in nature

The necessity to obtain a permit to conduct First Amendment activities is determined by the group size and/or location of the proposed activity.

Groups of 25 People or Less

A small group, which is defined by 36 CFR §2.51(b)(1) as a group of “25 people or less,” is not required to obtain a Special Use Permit for First Amendment activity if they are located within a park designated First Amendment location (see below). A permit is required for any group that:

• Wishes to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside of a designated First Amendment area
• Wishes to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc.) even if it is within a designated area
• Is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person small group permit exception
• Wishes to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas

Larger Groups

A group of more than 25 people is required to obtain a Special Use Permit for First Amendment activities even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

There are no cost recovery fees associated with First Amendment permits.

To apply for a Special Use Permit, download the application form. Complete the application form and send an email to the permits coordinator at [e-mail] or call with questions at: 907-246-2113

Per regulation, Special Use Permits for First Amendment activity may be issued for a maximum of 14 consecutive days [36 CFR §2.51(i)(1) and §2.52(h)(1)]. A permit may be extended for up to 14 days, but a new application must be submitted for each extension requested [36 CFR §2.51(i)(2) and §2.52(h)(2)].