Laws & Policies

Unmanned aircraft is prohibited at the park.

No Fossil Collecting

The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) provides specific mandates for administering paleontological resource research and collecting permits and the curation of fossil specimens in museum collections. The law also includes provisions for both criminal and civil penalties associated with paleontological resource crimes on federal lands. Remember, public collecting or digging for fossils is never allowed in the monument.

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording

• 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 recoding 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 National Park Service.
• 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.
• All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act (54 U.S.C. 100905). It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• 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.

Please contact the park by phone at 208-933-4105 or email if you are interested in filming at Hagerman Fossil Beds. Learn more about filming, still photography, and audio recording in national parks.

No Drones

The recreational use of unmanned aircrafts (drones) are not allowed in the park. Secretarial Order 3379 places a temporary cessation on use of unmanned aircrafts (drones) in parks for filming.

 

Special Mandates- Hunting and Fishing

Permitting of Hunting and Fishing –According to the Administrative Provisions of 104 STAT. 1924 Public Law 101-512, Nov. 5, 1990, "that with respect to lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, established by title III of Public Law 100-696, the Secretary shall hereafter permit hunting and fishing as well as maintenance of structures necessary to undertake such activities, including but not limited to duck and goose blinds on those lands within an area fifty feet in elevation above the high water level of the Snake River in accordance with otherwise applicable laws of the United States and the State of Idaho."

 

Firearms in the Park

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit the State of Idaho’s website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

 

Superintendent's Compendium

A compendium is a written compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions imposed under discretionary authority found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). For example, 36 CFR Section 2.21 (a) states, "The superintendent may designate a portion of a park area, or all or a portion of a building, structure or facility as closed to smoking when necessary to protect park resources, reduce the risk of fire, or prevent conflicts among visitor use activities." This designation is placed into the park's compendium.

Compendiums have always been a tool to help manage national parks. The compendium, as part of the park-related regulations, helps provide for the enjoyment, use and protection of our national parks. A compendium is updated at least annually. Depending on events and issues, it may be updated more frequently. In some cases, a review may indicate that no changes are needed. The Hagerman Fossil Beds Compendium was reviewed and updated in 2019 and is available as a PDF (1MB).

Among other topics, the compendium covers visiting hours of the park grounds and visitor center, restrictions to accessing paleontological/research zones, temporary park closures to ensure public safety and protection of resources, and a list of activities that require a permit. Items of particular interest to general park visitors might include restrictions on unmanned aircraft (drones), restrictions on smoking (including vaping), a reminder that visitors must clean up pet excrement, a condition for use of horse or pack animals (burros, mules, llamas) requiring that animals must have been fed certified weed free hay within the 24 hours preceding use in the park, and notes about skiing/snow shoeing/tobogganing (permitted in designated areas).

 

Special Mandates- Power Generation and Irrigation

Existing Facilities –Public Law 100-696 Title III section 305 states: "Nothing in this title shall affect electrical generating and transmission and irrigation pumping and transmission facilities in existence within the boundaries of the monument, or the right to operate, maintain, repair, upgrade, and modify such facilities. Such facilities are hereby expressly determined to be compatible and consistent with the purposes of this title."