MT LEMMON

PERMITS

Hello!

Over the years Coronado National Forest has become more strict regarding photography in its protected areas including several key (popular) spots on Mt. Lemmon. Fees have gouged my fellow photographer friends at a couple hundred bucks a pop if they are caught without a permit. The threat of an interrupted elopement or intimate wedding service stopped short — not just mine but ANYBODY’S — is worth the effort and collaborative measures before ulcers grow and armpits sweat…or worse, ceremonies/sessions interrupted and memories lost.

So for the sake of peace of mind for everybody involved, here are the details of my own Coronado National Forest permit acquisition and contact info to help direct you to the right people and reference the right stuff.

HERE is the Outfitter Guide that launched the new process for permits in June 2020.

Each application must consist of the following:

a) Completed Special Uses Application

Click here for form: FS-2700-3f Special Uses Application

b) Completed Operating Plan

Click Here for form: Completed Operating Plan

c) Trip Itinerary

Technically a quick “Trip Itinerary “ (see form) is requested. (i.e. description of shoot and screen shot of area/location where shoot will take place)

d) Proof of the business identity.

Here are the options of identity. I had recently JUST switched to s-corp so i just sent them a copy of my prior tax return and an explanation.

e) Insurance Certificate drawn up by your insurance provider for Coronado Forest specifically.

If you are in need of photography insurance, I pay roughly 30 bucks a year at PPA. It may have changed since the last time I chatted with them. But every phone call and email interaction has been met with impeccable customer service even with my super rookie ignorant questions :) Make sure the certificate includes the following address: Coronado National Forest; 300 W. Congress St.; Tucson, AZ 85701

CONTACTS & INFO

Application can be emailed to Denise Kusnir – mary.kusnir@usda.gov or 520-388-8303 (goes by “Mary”). Other contacts in the office are: Friess, Victoria (victoria.friess@usda.gov) and Alysa Hansen (amhansen02@fs.fed.us; 520-388-8432). The physical address of the office is 300 W. Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701 in case you wanted to old school and mail it in hard copy.

And if your curious as to what the stipulations will be as part of your approved permit, here are the details of when and what I can and can not shoot:

PERMIT STIPULATIONS

If the links above do not work, the FS-2700-3f Special Uses Application and Operating Plan forms are available at the Coronado’s Supervisor’s Office and online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/coronado/passes-permits/event-commercial. The definition of commercial photography is notoriously grey in the industry. Please double check the requirements for fees for the kind of photography you are providing.