Park-Specific Conditions for Scientific Research & Collecting Permit

Every scientific research and collecting permit includes conditions. NPS General Conditions apply to all permitted studies in all parks. Kenai Fjords National Park-Specific Conditions apply to all permitted studies in Kenai Fjords National Park. Moreover, additional stipulations made be added to a permit depending on the specific activities of a project. When an investigator signs a permit, they agree to abide by all these conditions.

Review the following to understand what we ask of all researchers at Kenai Fjords National Park.

As of 2026, Research Permit Applications are due by April 1 for the subsequent field season and permits must be finalized at least two weeks ahead of expected field work. We also ask researchers to complete a supplemental questionnaire upon application, which is provided on the Kenai Fjords Research Permit and Reporting System page.

Kenai Fjords National Park-Specific Conditions for Scientific Research and Collecting Permits

General Researcher Responsibilities

• A Kenai Fjords National Park scientific research permit does not authorize the applicant to enter or conduct activities on private lands within the boundaries of Kenai Fjords National Park. The researcher is responsible for knowing the land ownership status of the location of proposed research activity. The researcher is also responsible for obtaining permission from the landowner prior to entry.
• Researchers authorized to collect specimens or other materials for permanent retention will contact the Park Collection Manage by e-mail or at 907-644-3494 for instructions prior to collection, prior to preparing and submitting catalog data, and prior to submitting specimens and associated records. The researcher will provide the Collection Manager with their contact information. Any materials retained following the completion of the study remain the property of the NPS. The researcher shall notify the Park Collection Manager of any instances of remainder samples being retained.
• Specific authorization will be obtained before using hazardous materials (including fuels) in Kenai Fjords National Park. Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) for the hazardous materials will be provided to park personnel and be in the researcher’s possession while in the park, and any spill of the material will be reported immediately to the Integrated Resources Program Manager at 907-318-2068; and the Research Permit Coordinator at 907-318-2070.
• Additional NPS, state, federal, and/or local permits may be required for the intended research. It is the responsibility of the researcher to apply for and obtain all necessary permits and share them with the Research Permit Coordinator.
• The researcher (permittee) is responsible for ensuring that all persons working on the project adhere to permit conditions and applicable NPS regulations as well as state and federal laws. The permittee is responsible for complying with applicable terms and conditions after the permit has expired or been cancelled, suspended, or revoked.
• Permits may not be transferred or assigned to another person. Additional investigators and field assistants are to be coordinated by the person(s) named in the permit and should carry a copy of the permit at all times while they are working in the park. The principal investigator shall notify the park's Research Permit Coordinator when there are desired changes in the affiliation or status of the principal investigator, or modification of the name of any project member.
• Any changes to the approved research design or permit conditions will be submitted in writing, in sufficient detail, and in a timely manner to the park via the Research Permit Coordinator for review and approval, prior to conducting any work covered by the revisions.

Researcher Responsibilities Related to Field Work and Reducing Impact

• All researchers will notify the Research Permit Coordinator (Kelli Palaka; [e-mail]) or their assigned park liaison when they expect to be in the park.If permitted for backcountry camping and travel, use minimum impact and "Leave no Trace" techniques.
• Use existing campsites or areas with barren, durable ground (sand, gravel bars, bedrock) when available. Avoid trampling vegetation around camp and other work areas. All trash, equipment, and other materials will be removed.
• While within Kenai Fjords National Park, all food and scented or odorous items will be stored in a manner that is secure from bears and other wildlife. Use of park-approved bear-resistant food containers is required of researchers for any overnight travel.
• The researcher and all persons working in the field will take actions to prevent the inadvertent introduction or spread of non-native species. All footwear, clothing, camping gear, and other equipment should be cleaned and be free of soil or plant material BEFORE entering the park
• The majority of Kenai Fjords National Park has been identified as eligible Wilderness. Management restrictions may apply and affect approval of transportation methods, field work timing and frequency, group size, and the use of mechanized or motorized tools. When planning for research in Wilderness areas, it is important that researchers limit their activities to the minimum necessary to meet the study objectives. For example, where other modes of access are possible, we may ask researchers to refrain from or significantly reduce helicopter use.
• Observations of sick or dead animals while conducting research activities in the park should be reported to Kenai Fjords’ Wildlife Ecologist. Reports should include date, time, location (latitude/longitude), species affected (if known), photo or video of the affected animal(s), and contact information (name, phone number or email) for the person submitting the report.

Researcher Reporting and Records Requirements

• An Investigator’s Annual Report (IAR) will be provided to the Park’s research permitting and reporting site (RPRS) by February 1, the following year. This report should summarize the data collected during the prior field season and provide a map showing sample locations, survey lines, all aircraft landing locations, and any other significant findings, activities or events, such as wildlife interactions.
• Researchers will submit final GIS data layer(s) developed from research at Kenai Fjords. All geospatial data, metadata, or applications to be delivered to Kenai Fjords will be in a format compatible with Park’s current software (ESRI).
• Researchers will submit a digital version of products and reports to the Research Permit Coordinator. Reports are defined as information, records, and all published and grey literature papers, including copies of any defended thesis, posters, and power point presentations, produced as a result of work conducted under the permitted research.
• All records generated from research conducted on NPS lands including, but not limited to, plans, field notes, field maps, drawings, raw data sheets, tape recordings, photos, photo logs, instrument charts, map overlays, negatives, and remote sensing data (records) are, and remain, the property of the NPS. The investigator will contact the Park Collections Manager by e-mail or at 907-644-3494 to ensure that these records are properly accessioned. Final disposition of all records will be specified by the NPS in accordance with approved Park policies and procedures.

Submitted research applications will be reviewed by the Research Permit Coordinator, Chief of Resource Management, Management Team, and Superintendent. Once a research proposal is received and has been deemed to be an appropriate activity in the context of this National Park, the next step in the approval process involves compliance with applicable NPS regulations, policy and law.Kenai Fjords staff have established an integrated compliance process for all proposed research activities. The primary compliance requirements that must be addressed prior to project approval include: potential environmental impacts (NEPA), potential impacts to cultural resources (NHPA Section 106), and a Minimum Requirement determination for wilderness lands (Section 4(c) of the 1964 Wilderness Act). Researchers should allow 60 to 90 days for this review process and respond promptly to any additional questions from park staff. If insufficient lead time is given or there are significant delays in response, the park may not be able to properly review and process the application; consequently, the research may not be approved in the desired time frame.

To aid in the preparation of a successful application, researchers should also review the following:

• Research and Collecting Permit Overview
• Research Policies and Guidance
• NPS General Conditions for Scientific Research and Collecting Permit
• Guide to Conducting Wilderness Research in Alaska's National Parks

• RPRS user manual for investigators