Acadia National Park - Commercial Use Authorizations (U.S. National Park Service)

Commercial use authorizations (CUAs) are one method of authorizing commercial visitor services.

CUAs are currently issued for one year.
There is no right or guarantee of renewal. Permittee must reapply for a new CUA for succeeding periods upon expiration of the current CUA.
CUAs are issued for a yearly fee. The current fee is $200.
CUAs are not considered concession contracts. These services need not be "necessary" but are "appropriate" services that may enhance the visitor experience, and have been determined to have minimal impact on resources and park values.
Commercial business activity is prohibited within the park unless a CUA has been granted by the park (36 CFR Sec. 5.3).

Note: If you are a nonprofit organization without taxable income, under the new National Park Service guidelines you are not required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization. However, you are required to obtain a Special Use Permit. The annual cost is $50. Complete the CUA application and attach your completed declaration of nonprofit status (see forms below).

COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATION INFORMATION AND APPLICATION PACKET

Park-Specific Provisions
CUAs apply only to those federal parks, preserves, monuments, and historic sites administered by the National Park Service (NPS).

CUA Fees
The authority for the National Park Service (NPS) to impose user charges to recover and retain costs associated with managing special park uses is found in 31 U.S.C. 9701 and 16 U.S.C. 3a. Fees for CUAs are non-refundable. Monitoring fees may apply. The monitoring fee is determined by tracking how much it actually costs the park to monitor and/or perform needed functions to properly manage the commercial use. If applicable, you will receive a bill for collection at the end of the season for the monitoring fee.

CUA Cost: This fee (if applicable*) covers the costs associated with the administrative process of preparing and issuing the CUA, including National Environmental Policy Act and cultural compliance approval if applicable. This fee includes the cost of operating. The CUA fee, if applicable, should be submitted along with your application form. Make your remittance payable to Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

The 2008 fee is $200. All CUAs will be written to expire on December 31, 2008.

*Note: Motorcoaches, while required to have a CUA, are not charged the CUA fee. However, all motor coaches must pay the $150 commercial tour bus fee while operating in the park during each visit, regardless of entry point.

Monitoring Cost: This fee covers the park’s costs associated with monitoring and/or performing needed functions to properly manage the incidental business park activity.

Liability Insurance
The NPS requires all permittees to carry liability insurance. A sample certificate (pdf - 62kb) is available.

Reporting Requirements
Annual Survey Report: The annual survey report (Attachment D of the permit) is due by January 31 of the following year (submit this form after your season of operation). Not returning this form by the due date is grounds for revocation or non-renewal of your CUA.

Monthly Use Statistics Report: The monthly use statistics report is no longer required.

CUA FORMS/INFORMATION

Application
- Fillable pdf (pdf - 65kb)
- Word document
- Sample application (pdf - 52kb)

Annual Survey Report (pdf - 23kb)

Checklist of Items to Submit (pdf - 17kb)

Commercial Tour Entrance Fees
- Acadia National Park
- All Parks (pdf - 25kb)

CUA Interim Guidelines (pdf - 29kb)

Declaration of Nonprofit Status
- Filmable PDF (pdf - 24kb)
- Word document

Insurance Requirements (pdf - 43kb)

Legal Authority (pdf - 14kb)

Motor Coach/Bus Operating Rules

Visitor's Acknowledgement of Risk Form - Sample (pdf - 24kb)