Commercial Use Authorization Program and Commercial Non-Profit Special Use Program

Date: July 29, 2014
Contact: Jan Crosetto, CUA Office, 360-569-6514
Contact: Mary Wysong, Concessions Management Office, 360-569-6505

Superintendent Randy King announced today that applications can now be requested for the Commercial Use Authorization program for 2015 and 2016 and the Commercial Non-Profit Special Use Permit program for 2015.

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA)

The CUA program for Mount Rainier National Park will begin accepting applications for CUAs, starting September 1, 2014.CUAs will be available for guided backpacking trips, commercial use of drive-in campgrounds, guided day hiking, guided bicycling trips, shuttle transportation, and winter guiding activities.

The number of CUAs issued for each activity will continue to be limited under this program.Potential permittees will compete for the award of permits.CUA applications will be accepted until all of the permits have been issued.In order to ensure that the most qualified operators are selected for CUAs, application evaluations will occur at the end of each month.The park will begin accepting applications on September 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014 for the first evaluation round.The first evaluation round will review applications postmarked on or before September 30, 2014. If there are CUAs left over after the September round, there will be another evaluation of applications postmarked October 1 through October 31, 2014.

Commercial Non-profit Special Use Permits (Non-Profit SUP)

The Commercial Non-profit SUP program will begin accepting applications for Commercial Non-profit SUP's starting October 1, 2014 for the year 2015.

Commercial Non-profit SUPs will be issued to non-profit entities on a first-come, first-served basis.Non-profit SUPs are for one-year and will continue to be limited under this program.Non-profit SUPs are available for single trip guided summit attempts, summer guided backpacking trips, winter guided activities, and use of drive-in campgrounds.

Organizations that have 501(c)3 non-profit status and in-park activities that are commercial in nature can apply for a Commercial Non-profit SUP.Examples of criteria used to determine if a non-profit organization falls into the Commercial Non-profit category are:

1. Rates charged to participants – Is the fee greater than direct expenses?
2. Leaders/Guides paid above stipend.
3. No taxable income is received by company or organization.
4. Purpose is the sale of the service.

CUA Application Packets

The CUA Application Packets include the following: Application Instructions, Application Form, Activity Appendix, Exhibit 1 Commercial Free Zone, Exhibit 2 Acknowledgement of Risk Form, and Exhibit 3 Annual Use Report.

Please read the Application Instructions and Appendix for your activity before applying for a CUA. Applications must be mailed to the park; emailed applications will not be accepted. All items listed on your activity's Appendix Checklist must be included with your signed application to qualify for a CUA.

The 2015-2016 CUA Application packets for Guided Summer Overnight Use, Drive-in Campground Use, Guided Summer Day Hiking, Guided Bicycle Tours, Shuttles, and 2015-2017 Guided Winter Use can be downloaded from the park's Commercial Visitor Services webpage. Commercial Non-profit SUP application packets can be requested by e-mailing Jan Crosetto or calling 360-569-6514.

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