A special park use is an activity in a National Park area that is conducted by or provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large. The National Park Service may permit a special park use, providing the activity will not cause derogation of the park's resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purposes for which the park was established.
Following is a list of some common activities (Special Uses) that require a permit:
- All Special Events (including, but not limited to, weddings, beach parties, group bonfires and picnics, fishing tournaments, races, walkathons, trail rides).
- First Amendment Activities (for 25+ persons in attendance).
- Organized group hunts.
Visit our Filming & Still Photography page for more information about obtaining permits for these activities.
Requests for special uses within the National Seashore must be made by filling out the National Park Service Special Use Permit Application Form. Fill out the application completely and send to the permits office at ASIS_Permits@nps.gov.
Once the application is received, the applicant will be billed for a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 through Pay.gov. An email notification will be sent when the bill has been prepared for payment. Payment of the application fee does NOT guarantee that a permit will be approved. Fees to cover the costs associated with permitting special uses within the park are required for most permits. The $50.00 non-refundable application fee recovers only basic processing costs. The permittee will be notified and billed through Pay.gov if any additional costs are incurred by Assateague Island National Seashore.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Requested uses should have a meaningful association with the park’s mission and purpose. These will be evaluated for potential resource impacts, safety issues, disruption to park operations and normal public use, and in relation to current management policies and issues/concerns.
Please allow adequate time for processing the application. Complex requests may require additional review time, on-site planning meetings, insurance, certifications/documents, etc., prior to permit issuance. Performance bonds and liability insurance may be required depending on the nature of the activity.
If the special use is approved, two original permits containing applicable conditions and regulations will be mailed or emailed to the person designated on the application. Both permits must be signed by the applicant and returned to the park for signature prior to the event. One final, fully signed permit will be sent to the applicant. The permittee must have the final authorized permit with them in the park while exercising the privileges it allows.
Special Events - Maryland District only
A specific area at the North Beach in Maryland has been designated for most routine special events in the park (baptisms, weddings, & bonfires/beach parties). It is located on the ocean beach seaward of the barrier dune immediately north of the lifeguarded beach area. General rules for events in this area include, but are not limited to:
- All participants must pay park entrance fees.
- A permit does not grant exclusive use of an area. An event or participants may not inhibit the rights and privileges of other park visitors.
- More than one special event may be occurring in the general permit area at a time.
- No signs or banners may be erected or displayed within the national seashore.
- Parking will not be reserved for event participants.
- Heavy visitor use and parking limitations during peak hours may disallow scheduling special uses/events. Peak Hours: 10 AM to 4PM - every day in the summer season, on holidays, and on Saturday/Sunday in shoulder seasons.
- Fires may not be left unattended and beach fires must be entirely extinguished with water - not sand. Charred, unburned wood remnants are to be removed from the beach when cool and disposed of in appropriate waste receptacle.
- Permit holder is responsible to ensure that all participants comply with local, state and federal laws, including those governing alcohol possession and consumption, and approaching, touching, or feeding horses and other wildlife.
- The site may not be accessed by vehicles. All supplies and equipment must be hand carried to and from the site.
- Shelters may be erected for shade or insect protection, but must be removed at sunset.
- Sleeping overnight on the beach is not permitted.
- Balloons, fireworks and drones are prohibited in the park.
- Unreasonable noise is prohibited. Generators and public address systems are not permitted in this area.
- Conducting business in the park is prohibited, including but not limited to use of commercial caterers, rented tent/chair set-up, wedding planners, and collection of fees for the event.
- The site must be left in the same condition as it was prior to use and all refuse generated by the event removed from the park.
- Requests to reschedule a permitted event must be submitted in writing to ASIS_Permits@nps.gov, and received by the permit coordinator at least two weeks in advance of the original scheduled event day.
National Park Service (NPS) policies allow filming and photography when it is consistent with the protection and public enjoyment of park resources, and when the activities assist in the NPS fulfilling its mission. Filming and still photography activities may not harm natural, cultural, wilderness, or recreational resources and cannot conflict with the public's normal use and enjoyment of the park. A permit may or may not be required for the activity, in accordance with the EXPLORE Act.
A permit is required for these activities. Visit our Filming and Still Photography page for the latest information.
First Amendment Activities
Application
See regulations: 36 CFR 2.51, 2.52, 7.96
The NPS will authorize the use of parklands for public assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, religious activities, and other public expressions of views protected by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. All requests for similar activities by disparate applicants are treated equally. If permit criteria and requirements are met, no group wishing to lawfully assemble will be discriminated against or denied the right of assembly. A permit may be used to regulate the time, location, number of participants, use of the facilities, and number and type of equipment used to protect park resources, but not the content of the message presented.
When permits are issued for First Amendment activities, there are no fees or costs, and no insurance is required for the activities. However, Parks may collect after the event if documented damage occurs.36 CFR 2.51(c) calls for the designation of areas available for demonstrations and the sale or distribution of printed matter and the free distribution of other message bearing items and sets criteria for designation. Designated areas can be found in the Superintendents Compendium.
48 Fed. Reg. 30272-30273 states: The Service intends that printed matter include textual printed material such as books, pamphlets, magazines, and leaflets whose primary purpose is the advocacy, definition or explanation of a group's or individual’s political, religious, scientific or moral beliefs. It cannot be soley commercial advertising, which is prohibited in 36 CFR 5.1.Specific examples of activities that fall under First Amendment rules include the following:
- Distribution of printed matter
- Demonstrations
- Speechmaking
- Marching
- Religious services
A few highlights of 2.51 and 2.52, but not inclusive:
- A small group of 25 people or less (36 CFR 2.51(b)) in most cases is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within a park designated First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or handheld signs.
- A group of more than 25 people is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.
- Small group areas for activities in both 2.51 and 2.52 need to be designated. They can be in the same area. Both activities need to be listed in the Superintendent’s Compendium.
Commercial Use Authorization
Operating a business of any kind in the park is prohibited without a Commercial Use Authorization. Applications are considered based on a number of criteria, including appropriateness and fitness in accomplishing the mission of the park. The non-refundable application fee is $350.00 and you can apply here.
CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin MD 21811
E-Mail Address:
e-mail us
ASIS_Permits@nps.gov
|
