Other Permits

Español

Non-Commercial Group Use

Noncommercial group uses are any activity conducted on NFS (National Forest System) lands in which (a) no entry or participation fee is charged, and (b) the primary purpose of the activity is not the sale of a good or service. Some examples are: club or family recreation outings, reunions, and weddings. A permit is required for all noncommercial group uses involving 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators.

How do I apply?

Contact the El Yunque NF office in the area where you wish to have your activity.  Complete a FS-2700-3b application providing:

• The applicant's name and mailing address
• If the applicant is an organization, the name of an individual authorized to receive notice of the decision on the application
• A description of the activity
• The location and description of the NFS lands and facilities you would like to use
• The estimated number of participants and spectators
• The starting and ending date and time of the activity
• The name of the person or persons 21 years of age or older that will sign the permit on behalf of the applicant

The El Yunque NF office must receive the application at least 72 hours in advance of your activity. Applications will be granted if they meet the following eight evaluation criteria (for details on the eight criteria, particularly on criteria 5 and 6, review the Code of Federal Regulations at 36 C.F.R. 251.54(h)(1)):

1. Authorization of the activity is not prohibited by rules or orders that apply to the national forests or by federal, state, or local law unrelated to the content of expressive activity.
2. Authorization of the activity is consistent or can be made consistent with standards and guidelines in the forest plan that applies to the area where the activity will take place.
3. The activity does not materially impact the characteristics or functions of environmentally sensitive resources or lands.
4. The activity will not delay, halt, or prevent administrative use of an area by the Forest Service or other scheduled or existing activities on NFS lands.
5. The activity does not violate state and local public health laws and regulations applicable to the site proposed for the activity.
6. The activity will not pose a substantial danger to public safety.
7. The activity does not involve military or paramilitary training or exercises by private organizations or individuals, unless such training or exercises are federally funded.
8. A person or persons 21 years of age or older have been designated to sign and do sign a permit on behalf of the applicant.

If your application is denied and an alternative time, place, or manner will allow you to meet all the evaluation criteria, the Forest Service will offer that alternative.

All applications for noncommercial group uses will be deemed granted unless denied within 48 hours of receipt. If your application is granted, a permit will be issued prior to the start of your activity.

Is there a cost for the permit?

There is no cost for a non-commercial permit.  However, certain facilities may include a user or entry fee, which would be paid by the participants individually.

Research

There are many diverse research projects on the El Yunque NF.  Research includes experimental forest demonstration areas, observatories, laboratories, stream gauges, weather stations, educational research study, and similar uses not intended to result in further development.

Our goal is to provide a high level of customer service for research activities on the El Yunque NF.  Understanding how “nominal effects” factors into USFS special use permits.  However, depending on the complexity of the proposal, and any environmental compliance that may be required, it may take up to 120 days to process a research permit.

It is your responsibility to provide the Agency with all the information needed to review, evaluate, and make a decision on a submitted proposal and an application.  All proposals are subject to initial screening. If a proposal passes initial screening it is formally accepted as an application and will enter a second screening for environmental analysis (cost recovery fees are applicable).

Lastly, the environmental analysis process will determine if the proposed use will be authorized with a Special Use Permit. 

How to apply?

 More information coming soon.  In the meantime, email SM.FS.EYNFSU@USDA.GOV with requests.