Commercial Use Authorizations

Deena Hansen

A commercial use authorization (CUA) allows you to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for park visitors that take place at least in part on lands managed by the NPS; use park resources; and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you, when a concession contract is not necessary.

Application Open Season

The application season for CUAs for calendar year 2025 at Channel Islands National Park is now closed, and will be open from October 1 to November 30, 2025 for calendar year 2026. Applicants can visit the online application system to apply and to learn more. All applicants will be required to sign up for a Login.gov account. The application fee to obtain a CUA will be $350.

Other Helpful Resources

• Guided Sea Kayak Exclusion Map: Scorpion Area
• Food and Beverage Service Guidelines

For more information, please email: CUA Coordinator

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) authorizes incidental commercial visitor services of an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct business that begins and ends outside the park.

What are the Approved Services for Channel Islands National Park (CHIS)?

The approved CUA commercial services at CHIS are:

• Appendix B: Vessel Concessioner-Supported Water-Based Instruction/ Guide Services (Day Trips Only)

• Appendix C: Non-Landing CUA Operator Vessel-Supported Water-Based Instruction/ Guide Services (Day Trips Only)

• Appendix D: Non-Landing Vessel-Supported Water-Based Tours and Education: Whale Watching, Sightseeing, Resource Education (Day Trips Only)

• Appendix E: Multi-Day Non-Landing Vessel Tours

• Appendix F: Multi-Day Limited-Landing Vessel Tours

• Appendix G: Multi-Day Island-Based Environmental Education and/or Guided Outdoor Activities

• Appendix H: Fixed-Wing Air Taxi Service to Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands

• Appendix Z: Other Commercial Activities Not Listed but Approved by Superintendent

Do transient commercial tour companies like cruise ships need a CUA?

Yes. Transient commercial tour companies, like all other commercial operators in Channel Islands National Park, must apply for a CUA and pay all associated fees. SPECIAL NOTICE: 15 CFR Part 922, National Marine Sanctuary Program Regulations, Subpart G - Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary apply to vessels and activities within Channel Islands National Park.

(Note: Transient commercial tour companies like cruise ships have their base of operation or originating port outside of Santa Barbara or Ventura Counties.) 

Are vessel charters “bare boats” without hired staff required to obtain a CUA?

If the visitor or party is only renting the vessel for a private excursion, and not functioning as a for-profit commercial operation, then they will not be required to obtain a CUA. However, if the vessel charter company provides staff to assist or any other provisions onboard and advertises their services as going within Channel Island National Park boundaries, then they will be required to obtain a CUA.

Are the number of CUA Opportunities limited?

CUA opportunities may be limited for a particular service or operating area. Additionally, the NPS may deem it necessary to transition some services to management under a competitive concession contract.

Are CUA operators excluded from operating in any areas within the park?

CUAs for water-based activities, including Kayak Instruction and Guide Services, are specifically excluded from operating within the Scorpion Area, Santa Cruz Island. This is the assigned operating area for Concessions Contract CC-CHIS004-17 for Guided Sea Kayak Tours.  Visit the following link for more information on state and federal Marine Protected Area closures: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/marine-protected-areas.htm

How do I propose a new service under a CUA?

An applicant should submit a CUA application identifying Appendix Z as the service type, with detailed documentation on the operational components of the new service.  The review process may be lengthy and may take several months or more to reach a decision on approving or denying the proposed service.  The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• Are determined to be an appropriate use of Channel Islands National Park
• Will have minimal impact on Channel Islands National Park’s resources and values
• Are consistent with Channel Islands National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations

Are there fees associated with a CUA?

Yes, there are two different fees – an application fee and a market price fee.Application Fee: All prospective CUA applicants are required to submit a non-refundable application fee during the “open season”. The application fee covers the cost of processing the application. CUA proposals that may require addition staff time to prepare or review environmental or cultural resources compliance will be subject to additional fees.Market Price Fee: Channel Islands National Park uses a Market Price Fee method of assessing reasonable fees for CUA business opportunities. The market price fee is based on a percentage of revenue earned from in-park or park dependent operations. The fee is structured as follows:

• 3% of gross receipts for in-park or park dependent operations less than $250,000

• 4% of gross receipts for in-park or park dependent operations between $250,000 and $500,000

• 5% of gross receipts for in-park or park dependent operations more than $500,000

The CUA application fee is deducted from the annually due market price management fee.