Forest Service Wants to Charge $1,500 to Take Pictures On Public Lands

adventure-journal.com ^ | SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 | STEVE CASIMIRO

[MeshugeMikey]

Yes, it’s true that the lion’s share of the Forest Service budget is now going to dealing with wildfires, but is it so desperate for money that it has to hit up the people who do most of its marketing, photographers? A new policy, quietly proposed by the USFS on September 4 but now catching the public’s attention in a big way, would require $1,500 permits for media taking pictures in wilderness, with fines up to $1,000 for failing to comply. The rules could be applied to anyone taking pictures that result in some kind of commerce, from bloggers to amateur photographers who sell a print or two.

[MeshugeMikey]

this must NOT stand!

[MeshugeMikey]

ping

[oh8eleven]

would require $1,500 permits for media taking pictures in wilderness, with fines up to $1,000 for failing to comply.
So, I can pay $1500 for a permit - or - $1000 for no permit.
Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

[redreno]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3207416/posts

[shibumi]

Someone might accidentally photograph one of the King's Deer.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I wonder what it will cost if an artist wants to set up an easel and start painting one of the landmarks?

[Blood of Tyrants]

I caught that, too. The fine is less than the permit?

[Don Corleone]

“All of your money are belong to us!”

[KoRn]

Ridiculous!!!

[Logical me]

One reason to keep the media clean was to expose wrong doings by Government. Since most of the MSM is owned by the communists formed Administration now, the media decided to go the communists way. America is damn near finished.

[Wiser now]

Good question. If the painting sells, evidently Uncle Sam wants his cut.
Why can’t they be honest enough to call this the sales tax it is?

[cripplecreek]

This will signal the end of the national parks.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Tim to cut their budget by 25 percent.

[thackney]

So, I can pay $1500 for a permit - or - $1000 for no permit.
Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

If you are only planning one picture, ok. But since this addressed commercial operations, they probably want to go with the permit if it goes through.

[FoxInSocks]

What would Ansel Adams do?

[JSDude1]

I don’t give if its a large company nor an individual proprietorship this is still fleecing the public.

[The KG9 Kid]

Fish cops and Forestry Service have MRAPS and machine guns now.

[thackney]

Agreed, fine or permit.

I suspect it won’t be approved.

[The Great RJ]

I bet Hollywood types and politicians will use these wilderness areas for free...the fees just apply to the “little people”.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Does this mean I can now view the Yellowstone Falls without hundreds of tourists with high dollar cameras in the way?