Special Use Permits

Handy Definitions

Commercial Use. An activity that provides facilities, goods, or services for the purpose of generating profit

Commercial visitor service. Any service or activity made available for a fee, commission, brokerage, or other compensation to persons who visit a refuge, including such services as providing food, accommodations, transportation, tours, and guides. Included is any activity where one participant/member or group of participants pays more in fees than the other participants (such as nonmember fees, etc.), or fees are paid to the organization which are in excess of the bona fide expenses of the trip.

Guiding. Any organization or business that charges the public a fee or donation for fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, or interpretation. This includes both day use and overnight trips.

Economic Use. Any for-profit activity involving the use of the refuge or its resources.

Recreational Use. Any activity relating to recreation on the refuge. If a monetary gain (profit) is the objective of such use, then it is treated as an economic use and administered accordingly.

Permit. The Refuge Manager issues a Special Use Permit to authorize a commercial visitor service or other activity restricted by law or regulation on refuge lands and waters.

Use Area. An area designated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and offered to a commercial operator to provide guided big game hunting services for the public.

Use Day. (For commercial uses) One calendar day (24 hours), or portion thereof, for each person using the refuge. Used as a measure of human use.

Last updated:September 8, 2008