OBTAINING AN OUTFITTER AND GUIDE PERMIT

The Lassen National Forest issues outfitter and guide permits annually. The granting of this type of permit occurs if the request is for a business venture that the Forest can accommodate, there is a need for the business activity, and the activity will not cause resource damage or concerns.

The proposed outfitter or guide activity must also depend on the use of National Forest land, not something better served/suited to private land.

When to Apply

Reviewing and processing these types of permits can take a lot of time to authorize. To manage staff workload the Lassen National Forest has devoted two times a year where these applications will be accepted. Applications will be accepted during the months of January and September annually.

Applications will not be accepted outside of these open-season months.

Application Types

Businesses that are new and have never had a special use authorization before on the Lassen National Forest must first apply for a temporary permit before requesting a priority (multi-year) permit.

TEMPORARY PERMITS

Temporary Permits are authorizations that span six months/less than one year; for a maximum of 200 service days.

Flat Fee for Temporary Use Permits

Outfitters and Guides will be required to pay in advance for anticipated service days. This payment is non-refundable. Authorized Outfitter and Guide permits are limited to a maximum of 200 service days per permit. You will request your service days in the Description of Proposed Activities in the application.

A flat land use fee for temporary use permits is based on the amount of use allocated by service days as follows:

Number of Service Days	Flat Fee	Max Gross Revenue for Each Bracket of Service days
1 to 50	$150	$10,000
51 to 100	$300	$20,000
101 to 150	$450	$30,000
151 to 200	$600	$40,000

Column 3 in the table above shows the maximum amount of gross revenue for each bracket of service days that qualifies for a flat fee.

**If gross revenue exceeds the amount in the applicable bracket, you may be required to submit tax documents and will be billed based on the Forest fee schedule.

Use Reporting

Permittees must submit an Actual Use Report form documenting activities and locations and the actual number of service days used at the end of their guide season. The link to this form is below:

ACTUAL USE REPORT FORM

Temporary Application Package Requirements

The following documents are required to obtain a temporary permit for outfitting and guiding.

Cover Letter - Briefly describe what your application includes and the activities you are proposing.
Completed and Signed Application – FS-2700-3f form
Application Question 2
Completed Operating Plan Template
Certificate of Insurance with the US Government listed as additionally insured.

PRIORITY PERMITS

A business that successfully operates at least three seasons on the Lassen National Forest under a temporary permit may apply for a multi-year priority permit.

The advantages of this type of permit are:

Permits will be authorized for up to 10 years.
When the priority permit terminates, the permit is subject to renewal without competition, provided that the use authorized by the permit is consistent with the applicable land management plan, applicable laws, and regulations, and the holder has performed satisfactorily as demonstrated by acceptable performance ratings.
The service day allocation can be more than 200 service days per year.

Priority Permit Application Package Requirements

Cover Letter providing a brief description of what your application includes and the activities you are proposing.
Completed and Signed SF-299 Application
Application Question 2
Completed Operating Plan Template
Certificate of Insurance with the US Government listed as additionally insured

Insurance Requirements

You must comply with specific insurance standards as a requirement of issuing a permit to operate as an outfitter and guide on National Forest land or remain in compliance with the terms of your special use permit. The link below will take you to the webpage that details these requirements.