Commercial Use Authorizations

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Deena Hansen

New to commercial services at Channel Islands National Park? Please see our frequently asked questions below.

CUA Application Open Season

The application "open season" for Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA's) for the 2024 season is now live! Please carefully read the instructions on the application form and supporting documents, and then submit to the park with all required materials no later than 11:59pm PT on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Applications received via email or postmarked after the November 30th deadline may not be accepted.

CY2024 CHIS CUA Application Form

CY2024 CHIS CUA Annual Report and Instructions

Other Helpful Resources

For more information, please email: CUA Coordinator

 

Frequently Asked Questions

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) authorizes incidental commercial visitor services of an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct business that begins and ends outside the park.

The approved CUA commercial services at CHIS are:

  • Appendix B: Vessel Concessioner-Supported Water-Based Instruction/ Guide Services (Day Trips Only)

  • Appendix C: Non-Landing CUA Operator Vessel-Supported Water-Based Instruction/ Guide Services (Day Trips Only)

  • Appendix D: Non-Landing Vessel-Supported Water-Based Tours and Education: Whale Watching, Sightseeing, Resource Education (Day Trips Only)

  • Appendix E: Multi-Day Non-Landing Vessel Tours

  • Appendix F: Multi-Day Limited-Landing Vessel Tours

  • Appendix G: Multi-Day Island-Based Environmental Education and/or Guided Outdoor Activities

  • Appendix H: Fixed-Wing Air Taxi Service to Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands

  • Appendix Z: Other Commercial Activities Not Listed but Approved by Superintendent

Yes. Transient commercial tour companies, like all other commercial operators in Channel Islands National Park, must apply for a CUA and pay all associated fees. SPECIAL NOTICE: 15 CFR Part 922, National Marine Sanctuary Program Regulations, Subpart G - Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary apply to vessels and activities within Channel Islands National Park.

(Note: Transient commercial tour companies like cruise ships have their base of operation or originating port outside of Santa Barbara or Ventura Counties.) 

If the visitor or party is only renting the vessel for a private excursion, and not functioning as a for-profit commercial operation, then they will not be required to obtain a CUA. However, if the vessel charter company provides staff to assist or any other provisions onboard and advertises their services as going within Channel Island National Park boundaries, then they will be required to obtain a CUA.

CUA opportunities may be limited for a particular service or operating area. Additionally, the NPS may deem it necessary to transition some services to management under a competitive concession contract.

CUAs for water-based activities, including Kayak Instruction and Guide Services, are specifically excluded from operating within the Scorpion Area, Santa Cruz Island. This is the assigned operating area for Concessions Contract CC-CHIS004-17 for Guided Sea Kayak Tours.  Visit the following link for more information on state and federal Marine Protected Area closures: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/marine-protected-areas.htm

An applicant should submit a CUA application identifying Appendix Z as the service type, with detailed documentation on the operational components of the new service.  The review process may be lengthy and may take several months or more to reach a decision on approving or denying the proposed service.  The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

  • Are determined to be an appropriate use of Channel Islands National Park
  • Will have minimal impact on Channel Islands National Park’s resources and values
  • Are consistent with Channel Islands National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations

Yes, however your CUA cannot be executed until the Department of Interior Solicitor’s Office reviews and approves your form. Therefore, it is highly recommended that your CUA-based operation adopts the approved NPS form provided.

Yes, there are two different fees – an application fee and a market price fee.Application Fee: All prospective CUA applicants are required to submit a $250.00 non-refundable application fee during the “open season”. The application fee covers the cost of processing the application. CUA proposals that may require addition staff time to prepare or review environmental or cultural resources compliance will be subject to additional fees.Market Price Fee: Channel Islands National Park uses a Market Price Fee method of assessing reasonable fees for CUA business opportunities. The market price fee is based on a percentage of revenue earned from in-park or park dependent operations. The fee is structured as follows:

  • 3% of gross receipts for in-park or park dependent operations less than $250,000

  • 4% of gross receipts for in-park or park dependent operations between $250,000 and $500,000

  • 5% of gross receipts for in-park or park dependent operations more than $500,000

The $250.00 CUA application fee is deducted from the annually due market price management fee.

The CUA Application “open season” is defined as a fixed period within the calendar year when CUA applicants can apply for authorization to conduct business in the park. The CUA application open season is October 1 through November 30 for the following calendar year of operations. CUA applicants should submit their applications and application fee during this time in order to receive consideration as CUA operate the following calendar year. The park does its best to process CUA applications received during the open season before the beginning of the next operating season. Any CUA application received outside of the “open season” will be returned.  Applicants may not operate until the application approval.  A separate CUA application and non-refundable application fee is required for each category of service as identified in Attachment A.  All CUAs are placed on a calendar year cycle, beginning January 1st, and expiring on December 31st of the same year.

Step 1:Download, review and complete the CUA Application and attachments listed below (CUA forms will be placed on the park site once the application open season begins):

  • Form 10-550 Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Application and Instructions

  • Attachment D: Operation Plan (located on CUA Application)

  • Guided Sea Kayak Exclusion Map: Scorpion Area

  • NPS Acknowledgement of Risk Form • Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance

  • Form 10-660 CY2022 CUA Annual Report and Instructions

Step 2 During the application window, submit a complete application package, including:

  • Completed and signed CUA Application Form 10-550

  • Certificate(s) of Insurance that meets Insurance requirement(s) as stated in the CUA Application Instructions for the proposed activity

  • Supplemental required information based on CUA activity as defined in the CUA Application instructions and Attachment A

  • Payment of the non-refundable $250.00 application fee, discussed in the CUA Application package, Attachment C

Please note: Incomplete applications will not be processed and returned. CUA applications submitted outside of the “open season” will not be processed and returned.

CUA holders must submit an Annual Report at the close of each calendar year. Download the appropriate report from 10-660 Annual Report; also provided as attachment with each fully executed CUA. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts for the authorized service. This information is used by NPS management to understand commercial service trends and activities throughout the Service and within the park.  The CUA Annual Report must be returned via postal mail or email by February 15th following the calendar year in which you operated in the park.  Failure to return required reports or misrepresentation of statistics or earnings in denial of your next CUA application.Special Note to Operators with Multiple CUAs: A separate Annual Report is required for each CUA/service. Do not consolidate revenue for multiple CUAs on one form.

Last updated: December 11, 2023

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Ventura, CA 93001

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805 658-5730

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