Updated Director's Order On Special Park Uses Now Available

Special Park Uses
Updated DO On Special Park Uses Now Available


An updated edition of Director's Order 53 was approved by Director Jarvis on February 23rd and is now available.

This final draft takes into account comments received during internal and external reviews of earlier drafts and is available on the NPS policy page (click on “More Information” below).

Special park uses include a wide variety of activities, from special events to grazing and agricultural use to First Amendment activities.

DO 53 was updated to conform to the 2006 edition of NPS Management Policies. Information and guidance has also been added to better address suspension and termination of permitted activities, political activities and the Hatch Act, rights-of-way, and non-federal mineral interests. In addition, text has been added to provide a clear delegation of signature authority for special park use permits.

Some information on commercial filming and still photography was added to the document, particularly concerning cost recovery and locations fees. Expanded guidance will be added to DO 53 once the Departmental regulation on commercial filming and still photography is finalized.

You can read DO 53 here: http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/DO53.htm