The National Park Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has published new rules authorizing the NPS to begin collecting location fees for video, film, and commercial still photography projects. The new regulations appeared in the Federal Register (Vol. 71, Number 71) published April 13, 2006, and will take effect on May 15, 2006.


www.nppa.org/news_and_events

www.nps.gov/applications


If you assume that they mean COMMERCIAL video and photography .. how do you prove you're just a hobbyist .. dress sloppy? .. leave your lens cap on? .. finger over the lens?


**spotted this at DSL-reports.com

I was just wondering myself. "Honest, I am not a professional. I don't even know what all these symbols on my professional-grade lenses mean."

We have a similar system here now - basically if you’re seen with a camera kit bag and/or tripod it is viewed as commercial even though you may be just a dedicated amateur.

But how can they know you've taken any photos? Or do they just charge an admission fee if you bring the equipment?

Fortunately that can't happen here, it would be far too difficult to administrate and would end up costing more that they would collect.

never underestimate the power of red tape and bureaucracy