Re: National Parks & Tripods

["Mitchell P. Warner" <indepth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "Mitchell P. Warner" <indepth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

This information may be out of date:


Following are several comments regarding permits:

The first deals with National Park Service Permits:

This is from a Jan, 1999 note on the Panormaic Stock news group

 panorama-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The original is by:		     Jeff Weisenburger

Having worked for the National Park service for the last 25 years, I pulled
the
latest memo on Still Photography dated May 1, 1998.  It states:

     The National Park Service encourages all still photography, including
activities requiring tripods, strobe lights, or interchangeable lenses.  It
does
not require a permit for photographers, commercial or non-commercial, to go
anywhere, or to do anything that members of the public are generally
allowed to
go or do without a permit.
     Permits are required when the photographer involves product or service
advertisement, and the use of models, sets, or props, or when such photography
could result in damage to the resources or significant disruption of normal
visitor uses.
     Keep in mind, this policy is for U.S. Dept of Interior, National Park
Service.  I have not experienced any such problems in the San Francisco Bay
Area.  The original policy originated by Secretary of the Interior Manuel
Lujan,
back in 1990, and is still in effect!
Thie entire policy was outlined in Panorama magazine sometime ago.  There are
special regs concerning tripods on the marbel floors of the Lincoln Memorial,
and  other monuments in and around Washington D.C.  Hope this helps if you
visit
the National Parks.
Jeff Weisenburger

AND:

From: "James MacDonald" <jlmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

The entire text of NPS-53 policy is available on the web, and also for
download as a .exe file, at:

http://www.nps.gov/refdesk/DOrders/NPS-53contents.html.


Appendix 20 - Filming and Photography is at
http://www.nps.gov/refdesk/DOrders/FilmingA20.doc.  (Requires a version of
MS Word or WordPad.)


AND:

Dear Friends,

In the Winter 1999 issue of the White House News Photographers
Association Newsletter, there appears on page 6 several items related to
regulations concerning photography in areas controlled by the NPS. This
information came from Sgt. David J. Mulholland of the U.S. Park Police
Media Relations. I am going to type this in for everyone not so much
because of the Washington, DC-specific rules but because the overall
policy is stated here for the whole NPS system. I would think it would
be useful to write to the NPS in Washington and get a copy of these
regulations, not just for the tripod restrictions but because the
general policy as stated is clear. Except for commercial advertising
photography, photographers should not be restricted in any way that is
not detrimental to the environment.


1. This first part is from:

NPS-53 (Revised)                                                Appendix 20
Special Park Uses Filming and Photography               Exhibit 1
Still Photography - Handout                             Page A20-27

                  STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

It is the policy of the National Park Service to allow and encourage
photography within the National Park System, consistent with the
protection and public enjoyment of resources.

The NPS will not require a permit for photographers, commercial or
non-commercial, to go anywhere or to do anything that members of the
public are generally allowed to go and to do without a permit. This is
true whether or not the photographer uses tripods, strobe lights, or
interchangeable lenses. Coverage of breaking news never requires a
permit but is subject to restrictions and conditions necessary to
protect park resources, public health and safety, and to prevent
derogation of park values.

A permit is required if the Superintendent determines there is a
likelihood of a photography project's harming the park's natural,
cultural, or recreational resources, or creating unacceptable health or
safety risks, or disrupting visitor use and enjoyment. A permit is also
required pursuant to 36 CFR 5.5(b) for persons taking photographs of
vehicles, other articles of commerce or models for the purpose of
commercial advertising.

If a photography permit is required, the NPS will impose only those
conditions necessary to accomplish the needed resource protection of
visitor objectives. Liability insurance requirements and other
limitations should not be made unduly burdensome. For advertising
photography, it is appropriate to impose a permit condition that
prohibits implied or stated Service endorsement of the advertised
product or service.

Release Number 2            September 1997

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2. The second part is from:

CFR Ch. 1 (7-1-97 Edition)

5.5 Commercial Photography

(b) Still Photography.  The taking of photographs of any vehicle, or
other articles of commerce or models for the purpose of commercial
advertising without a written permit from the Superintendent is prohibited.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3. The third part is from:

S 7.96        36 CFR Ch. 1 (7-1-97 Edition)
Maps of Tripod Restrictions

Included in this section are three maps showing the areas around the
White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial where
tripods may not be used.

White House - prohibited areas include the South Lawn fence and the
areas to the east and west of the South Lawn. But the Ellipse has no
such restrictions.

Lincoln Memorial - prohibited area appears to be within the Memorial
itself and surrounding colonnade, but not the steps.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - covers the area of the Wall and all land
between Constitution Ave. to the middle of the Federal Reserve Building,
then south to the Reflection Pool, then west to the street around the
Lincoln Memorial, around to the short diagonal street that runs between
Lincoln Memorial to Constitution Ave.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hope this does some of you some good.

Fred Ward



AND: 

Southern Cal, Santa Barbara:


Santa Barbara officials have dusted off a 10-year-old measure that requires
photographers to get a permit in order to shoot in any city park -- or at
any city landmark.

There are three different scenarios:

Editorial Photo/Film Shoots -- No fees or permits required if you're
shooting for news, features or editorial usage.

Free-lance editorial shoot -- No fee or permit required IF you agree to
share ALL your work and publication rights with the city (parks and rec
dept.) If you don't agree, it will cost you $258 each time you shoot in the
park. This policy is aimed at photographers who are shooting for calendars,
books or postcards.

Commercial shoot -- Submit an application, provide proof of insurance and
pay the $258 fee and you can get a permit.

SB officials claim that other cities, including LA, San Francisco, and San
Diego all charge for shooting in the parks.

Just curious about what others have run into and how they've handled it.

PJHeller