Commercial Use Authorization Stipulations

2027 Park Specific Stipulations
Wrangell-St.Elias National Park & Preserve

P.O. Box 439 - Copper Center, AK 99573 - 907-822-5234 phone

For a list of federal regulation excerpts to assist you in understanding your responsibilities when operating in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/wrst-reg.htm
For a complete list of all regulations – CFR Title 36 and Title 43 please visit: http://www.nps.gov/wrst/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm.

The following specific provisions (in addition to the National and Regional Conditions of the Authorization), are applicable to those commercial activities and areas authorized through a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA):

1. Management and Monitoring Fees

A Management Fee of $100 per year of authorization is required for all commercial services except Visitor Experience.

A Monitoring Fee of $5.00 per person per day (excludes guides) is required for Visitor Experience CUA holders. The annual $100 Management Fee is not applicable to CUA holders only authorized to provide Visitor Experience.

2. Training

All employees of guided commercial services must have the following current and accredited CPR and first aid qualifications as a minimum. In-person training exceptions must be submitted to and approved by the park. The CUA holder must provide certificate copies upon NPS request.
• American Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR or accredited equivalent.
• American Red Cross Standard First Aid or accredited equivalent.

3. Equipment

Guided commercial services employees with clients in the backcountry must be equipped with a basic first aid kit appropriately sized for the group and activity.
Participants are required to use Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved Bear Resistant Containers (BRFC) for handling food storage.

4. Incident Reporting

All incidents involving serious injury, fatality, or vehicle property damage must be reported immediately by calling the Alaska Regional Communication Center (ARCC) at [phone].

5. Violation Reporting

Self-report any citation or tickets issued to the CUA holder, guides or other employees of the CUA holder for any violation of state, federal or local law or regulation, during the term of the CUA (even if contesting or planning to contest the citation or ticket). Self-reporting includes disclosing detailed information such as charges, fines/tickets, convictions, forfeiting collateral, etc. related to any state, federal or local law/regulation violations (minor traffic violations excluded).

Notification of any violations mentioned above must be made to the Concessions Management Specialist [phone] within 24 hours or as soon as practicable following the incident.

6. Compliance With Other Park Regulations

Further to National CUA condition #2, the CUA holder is responsible for ensuring that their employees are aware of and comply with all applicable state and federal regulations, including but not limited to the Superintendent’s Compendium and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at Title 36 and Title 43.

The CUA holder is responsible for ensuring no harm or interference occurs to natural or cultural resources in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The CUA holder is responsible for ensuring no harm or interference occurs to natural or cultural resources in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST) as a result of authorized activities.

Along the coastline, the CUA holder shall avoid nesting bird colonies, stay 50 yards from seals and seal colonies, and avoid mother-pup pairs on ice.

7. Land Status

There are approximately 750,000 acres of non-federal lands within the boundary of WRST. This permit authorizes the commercial service(s) and location(s) of those services listed on the permit on park and/or preserve lands only. Further to Alaska Region CUA condition #11, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to know the land status within WRST, inform park visitors if they are entering or being dropped off on non-federal lands, and to secure approval from the landowner.

8. Leave No Trace Principles

All employees who accompany clients in WRST must be knowledgeable of Leave No Trace Principles. Operations shall be conducted with regard to minimizing the impact on park resources and other visitors. Leave No Trace 101 course is recommended for all CUA holders.

9. Cultural, Archeological, and Paleontological Resource Protection

Archeological, Paleontological resources and human remains are protected under federal law including the Archeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA). Disturbing, defacement and unpermitted excavation or removal is illegal.

If a CUA holder, their employees, or their clients encounter materials thought to be associated with an undocumented cultural or paleontological site, the site location shall be recorded, and the holder must inform the park via the Concessions Management Specialist [phone].

If human remains are encountered, contact Alaska State Troopers (AST) Missing Person’s Bureau, Anchorage, AK, [phone], the State Medical Examiner’s Office, [phone], and WRST Superintendent, [phone]. The remains shall not be disturbed and all activities in the area shall immediately cease.

10. Group Size Limits

• Commercial float trips shall be limited to a party size of 15 persons including guides and boatmen.
• Guided groups in the Donoho Basin are limited to no more than 12 clients. A minimum ratio of one guide per six clients must be maintained.
• The minimum distance between associated camping groups in the Donoho Basin is ½ mile. Associated groups are all groups led by the same company or partnering companies or organizations.
• All groups of 8 or more persons are required to register to camp in Donoho Basin and are encouraged to visit the park’s website at Donoho Basin Group Camping - Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) for more information.

11. Airstrips

• The landing of fixed-wing aircraft in WRST is at the pilot’s discretion.
• Utilization of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve landing areas/airstrips is at the pilot's discretion.
• The construction of new landing areas is prohibited.
• The enlargement or expansion of existing landing areas and gravel bars, including brushing or clearing of vegetation is prohibited without prior written authorization from the Superintendent.
• Only hand tools (no portable motors) may be used for clearing vegetation without prior written authorization from the Superintendent; clearing is limited to vegetation less than 3 inches in diameter and must be within the existing tread and previously maintained approach/departure zones.
• Introduction of foreign materials (e.g., not limited to sandbags, gravel, soil, lumber, or other imported materials, etc.) is prohibited without prior written authorization from the Superintendent.
• Any action exceeding routine maintenance must be authorized by the Superintendent before work begins.

12. Float Plane Use

For all flights landing on water bodies within the park, air taxi operators must complete the following measures to prevent the spread of Elodea and other aquatic invasive species. Prior to departing a water body for a flight into the park:

1. Clean: Inspect floats, rudders, and landing gear for plant fragments and sediment; remove any visible debris.
2. Drain: Pump water from floats and wring out gear before leaving a water body.
3. Dry: Allow equipment to dry completely between uses in different water systems.
4. Inspect/Rinse: Raise and lower rudders and power wash floats if possible.
5. Avoid: Do not taxi through dense plant growth and avoid taking off from or landing in infested areas if possible.
6. Report: Sightings of Elodea or other unknown invasive species to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) via their hotline (1-877-INVASIV) or online.
7. Watch: “Sea Plane Inspection and Decontamination” on YouTube for more details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luDZptFsQDk

Activity-Specific Stipulations

13. Guided Hiking

• To avoid the spread of invasive plants, group participants, including guides, setting foot in backcountry or coastal areas for the first time shall thoroughly brush the soles and sides of their shoes/boots with a boot brush to remove potential seeds.
• The construction or maintenance of cairns, flagging, or other trail markers is prohibited.

14. Float Trips

• Watercraft users must wear an appropriately sized PFD at all times and carry a USCG approved visual distress signal (pocket sized) for use during emergencies. Equipment shall conform with United States Coast Guard (USCG) and industry acceptable standards and be in good working order.
• A USCG approved visual distress signal (pocket sized) for use during emergencies shall be provided to each client.
• Dry suits shall be offered to all clients for use on the river. Alternative types of thermal protection may be provided by the permittee (instead of dry suits) on approval of the Superintendent.
• A functioning water purification system or adequate sanitized water storage system shall be provided to clients, as suitable for the duration of the trip and number of trip participants.
• The CUA holder must provide an orientation and safety briefing to all participants before each trip. Guides must provide briefings about the activity and safety material prior to beginning the trip activity and repeat such information as needed. Items to be discussed must align with industry standards and Leave No Trace principles (Leave No Trace Seven Principles (U.S. National Park Service) and include but are not limited to:

1. Nature and demands of the trip
2. Proper fit and use of personal flotation devices and all trip gear
3. Man overboard procedures
4. Suitable clothing, including footwear
5. Litter and sanitation

• For on-shore excursions, visitor briefings and communications shall be applicable to the activities participants are engaged in.
• Burning garbage and trash, such as packaging, plastics, tin, aluminum, etc. is prohibited except for paper and compostables which must be burned to ash.

15. Horse Packing/Horse Rides

• Holder shall adjust scheduled trips if determined necessary by NPS because of degraded trail or road conditions that require mitigation. When remedial action is necessary, NPS will notify the holder of the planned work in advance to minimize potential adverse effects on authorized business operations.
• Holder shall ensure that guides/wranglers are qualified by experience and training to safely perform their duties.
• Holder shall have no more than six client-riders per trip.
• Holder shall conduct safety orientation briefings for all riders prior to commencing each ride. Topics shall include at the least, procedures and practices for mounting and dismounting, controlling the horse, and signaling for assistance from the wrangler. Additional topics that shall be covered shall include the intended route, time required, restroom facilities (or more specifically, the lack thereof), other hazards or demands of the trip, and park resource protection advisories.
• The following equipment shall be provided by the holder for each trip:

1. ASTM/SEI certified riding helmets (one for each client and each guide) upon request, and
2. All tack (saddles, bridles, etc.), which will be maintained in serviceable condition. Reins will be kept tied together when clients are riding horses.

• Any feed brought in must conform to the Alaska Weed Free Forage Certification Program. At any time during the permit term, the NPS may request written certification that this condition has been met. If weed free feed is not available the holder must inform the Superintendent and work with the park to mitigate weed establishment.
• All areas used for riding will be cleared of manure daily when near trailheads or camps. Holder shall use one of the following measures for meeting this condition:

1. Spread manure away from trails and roads where it is not visible to other visitors.
2. Use individual collection bags fitted to each horse to prevent deposits along the trails and roads. Manure collected using this method must be removed from federal park lands and appropriately disposed of.

• Stockpiling manure on federal park lands is prohibited.
• When not in use, horses must be hobbled and released to distribute impact or staked out on a cavalry picket and not tied to individual trees. Individual lead ropes shall be tied short to minimize stress on trees.
• Hobbling animals within 100 ft. of a water source or high-water mark of a body of water is prohibited.
• Horses must meet all United States health regulations and have a current Coggins test. Stock shall also meet all equivalent state health regulations regarding examinations and immunizations. Certifications must be submitted with application.
• All incidents involving serious injuries or death of horses on park lands must be reported within 48 hours to the Concessions Management Specialist [phone].

16. Guided Paddleboarding (Nizina Lake, Glacier Lakes at the Toe of the Kennicott Glacier only)

• Minimum equipment for stand-up paddleboarding shall include an appropriately sized PFD, a USCG approved visual distress signal (pocket sized) for use during emergencies, leash and clothing appropriate for the weather and water. Equipment shall conform with United States Coast Guard (USCG) and industry acceptable standards and be in good working order.
• Minimum emergency equipment to be carried by each guide must be sufficient to initiate rescue, stabilization, and evacuation.
• Client to guide ratios shall be appropriate for the nature of the trip and based on the trip objectives. Client to guide ratios will not exceed six clients to one guide.

17. Air Taxi, Big Game Transporters, and Incidental Hunt Transporters

• Further to Interior Region 11 Reporting Condition #15, Air Taxi operators, Big Game Transporters, and Incidental Hunt Transporters must include GPS coordinates for the drop off and pick up locations of clients, equipment, and each species harvested (if applicable). GPS coordinates must be accurate to within ¼ mile of the actual landing location. The holder must report all transportation, including transportation provided to hunters, their equipment or game. Big Game Transporters must also enter corresponding State of Alaska Big Game Commercial Services Board Transporter Activity Report numbers in the Visitor Use Reporting (VURn) system.
• Further to Interior Region 11 Reporting Condition #15, all licensed Big Game Transporters must submit copies of their State of Alaska Big Game Commercial Services Board Transporter Activity Reports (TARs). GPS coordinates, accurate to within ¼ mile of the actual landing location, must be included on each TAR. Reports must be submitted to [e-mail] on or before November 15^th.
• Holders providing Air Taxi, Big Game Transport, or Incidental Hunt Transport services must collect the information below for each client. This information must be provided to the Chief of Visitor and Resource Protection immediately upon request.

1. Client field contact information for each group in the field. Client field contact information is defined as a satellite phone number, Garmin InReach address, or other satellite communication device address, as applicable.
2. Client emergency contact information (e.g. client background, gear, next of kin, etc.)
3. Dates and locations of when and where clients were dropped off, their intended route of travel, and intended pick up.
4. Tent color(s).

• Upon request, holders must provide the dates and GPS coordinates of when and where clients were dropped off, their intended route of travel, and intended pick up of clients currently in the field.
• Holders must notify ARCC immediately for any client past their planned contingency pickup date, any emergency extraction, any instance of unreturned communication with a client, and any unknown or suspected violation committed by a client.
• Holders providing Air Taxi, Big Game Transport, or Incidental Hunt Transport services must provide clients with a copy of the “Bear Safety in Alaska’s National Parks” brochure and certify that clients and employees have reviewed the information on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website and watched the “Staying Safe in Bear Country” video. At any time during the permit term, the NPS may request written certification this condition has been met.
• All fuel caches must have prior written approval from the Superintendent. To request a permit, submit a special use permit application. The request must include the exact location of the proposed fuel cache including a map and GPS coordinates (if available), dates of use, and the reason for the cache.
• The CUA holder is prohibited from requiring its clients to enter into any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement unless the agreement is approved in advance by the NPS. The NPS will not approve any non-disclosure agreement that limits or prohibits the disclosure to the NPS or to any other governmental agency with regulatory or investigative jurisdiction information relating to possible unlawful activity or to matters affecting life, health, or public safety.

Complaints:

1. When a client contacts the NPS directly with a complaint regarding CUA holder operations, the NPS will forward the complaint within ten (10) days of receipt to the CUA holder for investigation and response. The CUA holder must respond to the client within ten (10) days after receiving the complaint and must also provide a copy of the response to the Superintendent.
2. When a client contacts the CUA holder directly with a complaint regarding CUA operations, the CUA holder must provide a copy to the NPS within ten (10) days of receipt. Subsequently, a copy of the CUA holder’s response to the client must be provided to the Superintendent within an additional two (2) weeks.
3. When NPS receives complaints from other users or user groups regarding CUA holder operations, in its discretion, NPS may require the CUA holder to respond within ten (10) days after NPS forwards the complaint(s). A copy of the CUA holder’s response must be provided to the Superintendent within an additional two (2) weeks.

18. Shuttle Service

• CUA holder (holder) and their employees are encouraged to inform passengers they are entering a historically significant site called the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark (KNHL) located within a unit of the National Park Service (NPS) called Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Holder and their employees are encouraged to inform passengers that they are being dropped off in a residential subdivision located within the KNHL in which public NPS-managed lands and privately owned lands are interspersed and crossed by road easements that provide access to property owners and their guests.
• The following statements must be prominently posted in all shuttle vehicles:
  • This vehicle will be entering a historically significant site called the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark (KNHL) located within a unit of the National Park Service (NPS) called Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
  • Passengers will be dropped off in a residential subdivision located within the KNHL in which public NPS- managed lands and privately owned lands are interspersed and crossed by road easements that provide access to property owners and their guests.
  • Holder must display the shuttle schedule in their vehicles and, to the extent practicable (i.e. mechanical failure and extraordinary or unforeseen event not withstanding) adhere to the schedule.
• Shuttle drivers or other employees may provide disembarking passengers with a general orientation to the mill town while located within the shuttle turnaround area but are not authorized to accompany passengers beyond the turnaround area into the mill town.
• Shuttle vehicles may have up to four (4) decals or signs per vehicle that display the following language: “NPS- authorized shuttle service operator.” Decals/signs must be no larger than three (3) feet by three (3) feet in size and must be approved by NPS prior to installation.
• Shuttle vehicles must be less than 24 feet in length.
• Holder shall only unload and load passengers within the designated “shuttle turnaround” within the KNHL.
• Shuttle drivers must be courteous when encountering other vehicles and user groups (e.g., bicycles, pedestrians, subdivision residents) while traveling the road to and from the KNHL and while operating within the shuttle turnaround.
• Shuttle drivers must not exceed the 10 mile-per-hour speed limit that has been established on NPS lands within the KNHL, which begins approximately ¾ miles south of the shuttle turnaround.
• Shuttle drivers must not exceed speed limits on any part of their drives to and from Kennecott.
• Holder must review the current motor vehicle record of driver applicants and reject any whose record contains a conviction for DUI, DWI or implied consent within the prior five (5) years.
• All drivers must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (appropriate class as determined by the vehicle driven).
• Holder must comply with all applicable state and federal traffic laws as well as Department of Transportation regulations pertaining to commercial vehicles.
• All drivers should advise passengers where the designated waiting area is located to ensure their safety while in the shuttle turnaround area.
• Engines should not idle except when actively loading or unloading passengers.
• Commercial vehicles must remain in the designated shuttle turnaround only long enough to load and unload passengers or to remain on schedule; not to exceed approximately 15 minutes per trip.
• Commercial vehicles must not be parked in the road or in such a manner as to block the use of the shuttle turnaround by other vehicles.
• Holder shall not solicit customers on NPS land except for the purpose of shuttle transportation as authorized by this CUA. Financial transactions are prohibited on park lands.
• Holder may use a vehicle tracker application to identify the status and location of shuttle vehicles and must provide this information to the NPS upon request.

19. Visitor Experience

• Applicable to groups of 2 or more persons (including clients and employees of the CUA holder) who have contracted with a tour company or non-profit organization to provide transportation to and/or guided services in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
• Guides or drivers shall report the tour company name, number of clients, and number of guides to visitor center staff each visit, including visits only using comfort stations (i.e., public restrooms). Use of just the comfort station is considered commercial use and must be included in authorization reporting. At the Copper Center Visitor Center, vehicles greater than 24 feet in length must park in designated oversized parking areas. In any location, at no time shall CUA holder vehicles exceed the maximum capacity of designated parking for buses or oversized vehicles. CUA holder vehicles are not permitted to park in the road.
• CUA holders authorized to use motorized vehicles must display their business name and CUA number on the dashboard of each vehicle parked at the Copper Center Visitor Center. The business name and CUA number must match the holder’s current CUA permit (Form 10-115).
• Visitor Experience CUA holders with groups of 14 or more may not advertise or direct clients to park ranger programs that are open to the public. The holder must arrange for private NPS ranger programs or provide their own services unless approved by the park in advance.
• If an NPS ranger-guided program has been pre-arranged, the tour leader may not prohibit other park visitors from participating in that portion of the NPS ranger program which occurs on NPS property.
• Further to Alaska Region CUA Condition #10, personal injuries requiring more than basic first aid must be reported to park staff. For emergency response, call 911.
• Food must not be left unattended unless properly secured from bears or other wildlife. All garbage, waste, etc. must be packed out. Authorization does not include disposing of refuse in park receptacles.
• In accordance with State law, CUA holder shall instruct clients to not intentionally feed wildlife or negligently leave human food, pet food, or garbage in a manner that attracts wildlife at or around staging area, or any other location, inside of the park legislative boundaries. See 5 AAC 92.230.
• The NPS arrowhead, its likeness, the words National Park Service, NPS or the park name must not be used for the purpose of commercial gain or to secure a competitive advantage in the conduct of a permitted activity. This restriction includes but is not limited to signs and vehicle banners.
• Further to Interior Region 11 Reporting Condition #15, Visitor Experience CUA holders must use the Visitor Use Reporting (VURn) system to report use and calculate annual Monitoring Fees.

20. Guided Sportfishing

• Further to National CUA Condition #2, when engaged in the authorized service, the CUA holder must possess a current sportfishing business registration issued by Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). A copy of the business registration must be submitted with the CUA application.

• Guides operating under this permit are required to possess the following:

1. A current resident or nonresident guide license(s) (as applicable) issued by ADFG. Copies of guide license(s) for all employees operating under this permit must be submitted with the CUA application.
2. A current Alaska sportfishing license, tags, stamps or permits as required by ADFG to engage in the sport fishery for which the guide services are being provided.

• Possession or use of bait for fishing in fresh waters, live or dead minnows or other bait fish, amphibians, non-preserved fish eggs or fish roe is prohibited.
• Guides must have knowledge and skill in catch and release. Fish not meeting size or species restrictions or that the angler chooses to keep shall be carefully and immediately released to the water from which it was taken (36 CFR 2.3 (d)(7)). Guides must follow the ADFG catch and release guidelines, which provide guidance on appropriate release methods including the use of barbless hooks.
• Parts of the fish not retained shall be thrown into the deepest water possible where they were caught.
• Watercraft users must wear an appropriately sized PFD at all times and carry a USCG approved visual distress signal (pocket sized) for use during emergencies. Equipment shall conform with United States Coast Guard (USCG) and industry acceptable standards and be in good working order.

• Watercraft used under this CUA and associated water recreational articles must complete the following measures to prevent the spread of Elodea and other Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).

  • Any article that may be immersed shall be thoroughly inspected and cleaned prior to entering waters within WRST in order to mitigate the spread of Elodea and other AIS. Given that the presence of AIS is not always known, best management practice is to decontaminate and clean all surfaces when moving from one water body to another.

  • Felt soled boots are prohibited in the park.

• Food or other bear or wildlife attractants shall not be left unattended on shore and must be properly stored on person while fishing.
• Sportfishing activities are limited to a maximum of twelve (12) clients per calendar year, with no more than four (4) guided days per client.
• Further to Regional CUA condition #15, the Permittee must include end of season sportfishing data in the Visitor Use Reporting System (VURn). Required reporting includes the number of fish, species, and outcome (retained or released). Reporting additional details, such as fish size or any observed anomalies (e.g., parasites) is encouraged.