Research Permit General Conditions

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General Conditions for Scientific Research and Collecting Permit

Note: The “General Conditions” immediately below apply to all researchers and parks across the entire National Park System. Following these (farther down) are the “Park-Specific Conditions” for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. In addition, your Scientific Research and Collecting Permit may contain even more specific conditions and restrictions. You may note some overlap/redundancy amongst the three. The intent of conditions and restrictions is to protect park resources and values, and to ensure that the benefits of your research outweigh the impacts by minimizing/mitigating the latter as much as possible.


1. Authority - The permittee is granted privileges covered under this permit subject to the supervision of the superintendent or a designee, and shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the National Park System area and other federal and state laws. A National Park Service (NPS) representative may accompany the permittee in the field to ensure compliance with regulations.

2. Responsibility - The permittee is responsible for ensuring that all persons working on the project adhere to permit conditions and applicable NPS regulations.

3. False information - The permittee is prohibited from giving false information that is used to issue this permit. To do so will be considered a breach of conditions and be grounds for revocation of this permit and other applicable penalties.

4. Assignment - This permit may not be transferred or assigned. Additional investigators and field assistants are to be coordinated by the person(s) named in the permit and should carry a copy of the permit while they are working in the park. The principal investigator shall notify the park's Research and Collecting Permit Office when there are desired changes in the approved study protocols or methods, changes in the affiliation or status of the principal investigator, or modification of the name of any project member.

5. Revocation - This permit may be terminated for breach of any condition. The permittee may consult with the appropriate NPS Regional Science Advisor to clarify issues resulting in a revoked permit and the potential for reinstatement by the park superintendent or a designee.

6. Collection of specimens (including materials) - No specimens (including materials) may be collected unless authorized on the Scientific Research and Collecting permit. The general conditions for specimen collections are:

  • Collection of archeological materials without a valid Federal Archeology Permit is prohibited.
  • Collection of federally listed threatened or endangered species without a valid U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species permit is prohibited.
  • Collection methods shall not attract undue attention or cause unapproved damage, depletion, or disturbance to the environment and other park resources, such as historic sites.
  • New specimens must be reported to the NPS annually or more frequently if required by the park issuing the permit. Minimum information for annual reporting includes specimen classification, number of specimens collected, location collected, specimen status (e.g., herbarium sheet, preserved in alcohol/formalin, tanned and mounted, dried and boxed, etc.), and current location.
  • Collected specimens that are not consumed in analysis or discarded after scientific analysis remain federal property. The NPS reserves the right to designate the repositories of all specimens removed from the park and to approve or restrict reassignment of specimens from one repository to another. Because specimens are Federal property, they shall not be destroyed or discarded without prior NPS authorization.
  • Each specimen (or groups of specimens labeled as a group) that is retained permanently must bear NPS labels and must be accessioned and cataloged in the NPS National Catalog. Unless exempted by additional park-specific stipulations, the permittee will complete the labels and catalog records and will provide accession information. It is the permittee’s responsibility to contact the park for cataloging instructions and specimen labels as well as instructions on repository designation for the specimens.
  • Collected specimens may be used for scientific or educational purposes only, and shall be dedicated to public benefit and be accessible to the public in accordance with NPS policies and procedures.
  • Any specimens collected under this permit, any components of any specimens (including but not limited to natural organisms, enzymes or other bioactive molecules, genetic materials, or seeds), and research results derived from collected specimens are to be used for scientific or educational purposes only, and may not be used for commercial or other revenue-generating purposes unless the permittee has entered into a Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA) or other approved benefit-sharing agreement with the NPS. The sale of collected research specimens or other unauthorized transfers to third parties is prohibited. Furthermore, if the permittee sells or otherwise transfers collected specimens, any components thereof, or any products or research results developed from such specimens or their components without a CRADA or other approved benefit-sharing agreement with NPS, permittee will pay the NPS a royalty rate of twenty percent (20%) of gross revenue from such sales or other revenues. In addition to such royalty, the NPS may seek other damages to which the NPS may be entitled including but not limited to injunctive relief against the permittee.

7. Reports - The permittee is required to submit an Investigator’s Annual Report and copies of final reports, publications, and other materials resulting from the study. Instructions for how and when to submit an annual report will be provided by NPS staff. Park research coordinators will analyze study proposals to determine whether copies of field notes, databases, maps, photos, and/or other materials may also be requested. The permittee is responsible for the content of reports and data provided to the National Park Service.

8. Confidentiality - The permittee agrees to keep the specific location of sensitive park resources confidential. Sensitive resources include threatened species, endangered species, and rare species, archeological sites, caves, fossil sites, minerals, commercially valuable resources, and sacred ceremonial sites.

9. Methods of travel - Travel within the park is restricted to only those methods that are available to the general public unless otherwise specified in additional stipulations associated with this permit.

10. Other permits - The permittee must obtain all other required permit(s) to conduct the specified project.

11. Insurance - If liability insurance is required by the NPS for this project, then documentation must be provided that it has been obtained and is current in all respects before this permit is considered valid.

12. Mechanized equipment - No use of mechanized equipment in designated, proposed, or potential wilderness areas is allowed unless authorized by the superintendent or a designee in additional specific conditions associated with this permit.

13. NPS participation - The permittee should not anticipate assistance from the NPS unless specific arrangements are made and documented in either an additional stipulation attached to this permit or in other separate written agreements.

14. Permanent markers and field equipment - The permittee is required to remove all markers or equipment from the field after the completion of the study or prior to the expiration date of this permit. The superintendent or a designee may modify this requirement through additional park specific conditions that may be attached to this permit. Additional conditions regarding the positioning and identification of markers and field equipment may be issued by staff at individual parks.

15. Access to park and restricted areas - Approval for any activity is contingent on the park being open and staffed for required operations. No entry into restricted areas is allowed unless authorized in additional park specific stipulations attached to this permit.

16. Notification - The permittee is required to contact the park’s Research and Collecting Permit Office (or other offices if indicated in the stipulations associated with this permit) prior to initiating any fieldwork authorized by this permit. Ideally this contact should occur at least one week prior to the initial visit to the park.

17. Expiration date - Permits expire on the date listed. Nothing in this permit shall be construed as granting any exclusive research privileges or automatic right to continue, extend, or renew this or any other line of research under new permit(s).

18. Other stipulations - This permit includes by reference all stipulations listed in the application materials or in additional attachments to this permit provided by the superintendent or a designee. Breach of any of the terms of this permit will be grounds for revocation of this permit and denial of future permits.

 
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Park-Specific Conditions for Scientific Research and Collecting Permit

Conditions and restrictions for all researchers working within Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve:


1. Investigator(s) will abide by all park regulations. A park compendium is available from the Visitor Information Station (VIS). A park staff member(s) may visit project field camp(s) to assist in compliance with park guidelines and regulations.

2. Logistical arrangements (transportation, housing) are the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI), except where explicit arrangements have been made and agreed to by park staff.

3. Investigator(s) are required to check with staff at the VIS prior to beginning and upon ending their work within the park.

4. The PI will provide the park (Museum Curator; currently Michele Jesperson; 907-697-2606; michele_jesperson@nps.gov) with a list, description, and number of all objects (biological or physical) collected during the study.

5. All retained specimens collected within park boundaries remain National Park Service (NPS) property and are accessioned into the NPS national catalog upon completion of scientific analyses by the researcher(s). The PI will request park catalog number(s) and additional collecting/preservation/documentation instructions from the Museum Curator. An agreement will be signed for the specimens collected under this permit to be placed on loan to a university or museum.

6. The PI will provide the Museum Curator with the location and disposition of any reference collections (biological or physical objects) that are retained from the study.

7. Hazardous materials brought into the park are the responsibility of the PI. Investigator(s) will properly contain, handle, and dispose of all hazardous materials per each material’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). All hazardous materials will be removed from the park no later than the departure of the last project personnel for this calendar year.

8. In the event that any injury or mortality of wildlife occurs during the course of the study, investigator(s) will immediately notify the VIS.

9. Prior to the initiation of field activities, all project personnel will attend a Boater Orientation and/or Camper Orientation, as necessary, at the VIS if they have not already done so this calendar year.

10. Operation of all watercraft within park boundaries will be in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Vessels used in the study will meet or exceed the minimum safety standards for vessels and associated equipment, including personal flotation devices, lights, flares, and fire extinguishers, etc. See Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats (available online or from any U.S. Coast Guard office).

11. As necessary, an administrative vessel entry is granted for the study dates and areas indicated on this Research Permit. This administrative vessel entry is valid only for the dates and areas that are required to complete the study. All project motorized vessels will prominently display a “RESEARCH” flag, obtainable from the VIS. The flag(s) must be returned upon the vessels’ departure from Glacier Bay. If supported by a NPS vessel, that vessel will be clearly marked as such.

12. For all boating operations, the project leader/vessel captain(s) will file and close out daily float plans with the VIS, and will arrange (in consultation with the VIS) periodic communication check-ins to keep the park apprised of project activities and locations.

13. Entry into non-motorized waters with a motorized craft is prohibited without written authorization from the Park Superintendent. A closure map is available from the VIS. Refer to the Specific Conditions or Restrictions section of your Research Permit for written approval or denial to enter non-motorized waters with a motorized vessel.

14. The PI will provide to the park (Research Coordinator; Lewis Sharman; lewis_sharman@nps.gov) the descriptions, precise locations, and planned periods of deployment for any and all objects left in the park’s backcountry if not continually attended by project personnel.

15. The PI agrees to furnish the park (Research Coordinator) with an Investigator’s Annual Report (IAR, due by March 31 in each year following project initiation – you will automatically receive an electronic notification/reminder), any additional progress reports specified within the Research Permit, a final report, and copies of all publications resulting from permitted work in the park.

16. In addition to the IAR, the PI may be required to annually submit to the park (Research Coordinator) a formal Project Report. The Project Report is intended to contain considerably more detail than the IAR, including analyzed data and findings, as well as synthesis with past/other data, a summary interpretation in historical context, and any appropriate recommendations to management. Due by March 31 in the year following field work.

17. The PI will provide the park (Research Coordinator) with a digital educational “poster” of the project (printable/readable in 11”x17” folio format) for inclusion in an interpretive binder for viewing by the general public. Please ensure the technicality of the poster is appropriate for that audience. Due by March 31 in the year following field work.

18. The PI will provide the park (Research Coordinator) with at least three (but no more than 10) representative high-resolution digital images, with captions, illustrating the project; these images will become public domain. Due by March 31 in the year following field work.

19. The project leader is requested to provide a “live” presentation geared to a non-scientific audience and/or to an informal presentation to park staff. Contact the Research Coordinator for assistance with scheduling, venue, target audience and appropriate level of technicality, notification, etc. The objective of this request is to facilitate public education efforts on behalf of park resources and the scientific studies associated with them.

20. The NPS reserves the right to obtain raw data, field notes, photographs, sketch maps and other geospatial data, audio/video files, databases/spreadsheets, etc. generated by the project. The project leader agrees to provide these at any time if requested. Contact the Research Coordinator with any concerns, including intellectual property, sensitivity, distribution, etc.

21. Finally, the NPS reserves the right to terminate a Research Permit at any time due to violation of any of the above conditions, violation of park regulations, or poor/non-performance. In addition, the NPS may decline future Research Permit extension or renewal, or to modify the above conditions, or commitments of park support of the project, as park priorities and/or management guidance/regulations change and evolve.

Last updated: February 23, 2024

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Mailing Address:

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
PO Box 140

Gustavus, AK 99826

Phone:

907 697-2230

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