Commercial Use Authorizations

Guided kayaking and boating trips are provided by Commercial Use Authorization holders

NPS Photo / J. Mills

 

Quick Links

• Alaska Region CUA Application
• CUA Required Reporting Forms
• Commercial Services Contact Information

What is a Commercial Use Authorization?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or entity to provide commercial visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of Lake Clark;
• will have minimal impact on Lake Clark’s resources and values; and
• are consistent with Lake Clark's purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

A CUA is required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other functions for park visitors that:

• take place at least in part in areas managed by Lake Clark,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the stipulations of the CUA.

 

Commercial air taxis provide services throughout the park

NPS Photo / W. Hill

How do I apply for a Commercial Use Authorization?

With the exception of Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks and Preserves, CUA applications in the Alaska Region are centrally managed. With one form, applicants may apply for all park units in the Region (except Denali and Glacier Bay). Application materials and additional information are available on the NPS Alaska Region website.

Applications are accepted annually between November 1st and April 30th. A fully completed application package including insurance, fee payment, and other required documentation must be received or postmarked by the April 30th deadline. E-mail submission is preferred.

Completed application packages should be submitted to [e-mail] for review.

Lake Clark only accepts CUA applications for the commercial activities listed below. Please note that some activities have additional requirements in addition to the National, Regional and Park-Specific Stipulations that apply to all activities within a park unit. Stipulations and conditions may be updated annually. Copies are available on the Region’s website.

• air taxi
• water taxi and charter boat
• guided hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering
• guided bear viewing
• big game and incidental hunt transport
• guided kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating
• boat rentals: kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards
• guided photography
• snorkeling and underwater wildlife photography
• guided sport fishing
• guided winter backcountry trips (guided skiing, sledding, snowshoeing)

 

How much does a Commercial Use Authorization cost?

In addition to the application fee outlined in the Application Instructions on the Regional website, Lake Clark charges a monitoring fee of $12.00 USD per person, per day (excluding guides). The fee is due November 15th each year.

What are the reporting requirements?

CUA holders must submit an Annual Report and Activity Reports each year by November 15th. Current reporting forms and reporting addresses are available on the Regional website.

 

CUA Program Updates - Lake Clark NP&P Fee Changes

Beginning in the 2023 season, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve will increase the Commercial Use
Authorization (CUA) Monitoring Fee to better reflect the true cost of administering our commercial services
program as required by law.

Public Law 105-391 and NPS policy require the Superintendent to charge a reasonable fee “to recover associated management and administrative costs” for CUAs and review the fee every two years. The fee allows the park to recover the actual costs incurred in support of the CUA program, monitoring, clean up, and restoration to resources following the CUA activities. It also applies to day-to-day monitoring to enforce park regulations and to any equipment and materials needed for the management of the CUA program.

This is the park's first increase to its monitoring fee since 2003 and will bring fees in line with the current staffing and material costs that support the commercial services program. The increases to Monitoring Fees will be phased over several years to give you time to plan for and implement the changes. An annual review of costs will be implemented to ensure fees are commiserate with costs after the initial three year fee increase. Monitoring Fees are due no later than November 15th for the reporting year. Below is the phased fee structure that will be implemented. 
 

CUA Monitoring Fee	2021/2022 Reporting Season	2023 Reporting Season	2024 Reporting Season	2025 Reporting Season
Per Person, Per Day (Excludes Guides)	$6.00	$10.00	$12.00	$15.00

We recognize the strong partnership the park has with commercial operators bringing visitors to the park. We
look forward to building on that strength as visitation increases to ensure park resources and visitor safety are
protected. If you have any questions about the CUA program or this fee change, please contact our Concessions
Management Specialist Alex Maki at [e-mail] or 907-683-9553.

 

Crescent Lake Boat Storage

The National Park Service authorizes boat storage on Crescent Lake through a boat storage permit. Boat storage permits are an addendum to a valid Commercial Use Authorization CUA permit. Please contact Alex Maki, Concessions Management Specialist for Lake Clark, at [e-mail] to learn more about a boat storage permit at Crescent Lake.

 

Commercial Services Links

• 

  Commercial Services Provider Directory

  Search commercial service providers for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

• 

  Alaska Region Commercial Services

  Application forms, instructions, CUA fees, and stipulations

• 

  Park CUA Stipulations

  Specific provisions for conducting business in Alaska's National Parks