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

Date: August 1, 2013
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 2014 and 2015 and the Commercial Non-Profit Special Use Permits program for 2014. New this year, the CUA application packet is available for download from the park website. Please see links below.

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA)
The CUA program for Mount Rainier National Park will begin accepting applications for Single Trip Guides Climbing CUAs, and Photography and Art Course CUAs starting September 1, 2013. 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, 2013 through September 30, 2013 for the first evaluation round. The first evaluation round will review applications postmarked on or before September 30, 2013. If there are CUAs left over after the September round, there will be another evaluation of applications postmarked October 1 through October 31, 2013.

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, 2013 for the year 2014.

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, guided summer overnight hiking trips, winter guiding 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 2014-2015 Climbing and Photography CUA Application packets can be downloaded from the park's website at: https://www.nps.gov/mora/parkmgmt/commercial-services.htm.

Commercial Non-profit SUP application packets can be requested by e-mailing Jan Crosetto or calling 360-569-6514.

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