Videography and Photography Permits in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Attention Drone Users: The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited unless authorized in advance through a special use permit or letter of authorization.

Permits may be required for videography, including filming of documentaries, travelogues, feature stories, and advertising. News gathering organizations are exempt from fee, insurance, and bonding requirements, but may require a Special Use Permit to ensure compatibility with refuge purposes, public use, ongoing research, or to protect refuge resources. Because of this, an early teleconference or a meeting between refuge staff and the project leader is recommended. A $100 fee may be required.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge processes permit applications during either of two permit application periods in each calendar year:

• January 1 to March 15 (generally for activities beginning after May)
• October 1 to November 30 (generally for activities beginning after January of the following year)

Complete applications received during these dates will be processed within 45 days of receipt. Incomplete applications will be returned to you after the application period closing date. Applications received outside these dates will be processed within the next permit application period.

Steps to Apply for a Permit:

1) Fill out the commercial permit application (either electronically or printed out) and sign the document (either electronically or printed out).

2) In addition to your permit application, you will need to include the following:

• State of Alaska Business License 
• A narrative letter addressed to the Refuge Manager. (see guidance for film narrative letter below)

3) Submit the application with the $100 administrative fee. You may call (907)-888-5704 with a credit card or mail to 101 12th Avenue Room 236, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

• Submit application via email to arctic_permits@fws.gov OR 
• Submit application via post to 101 12th Avenue Room 236, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Please contact us at (907-)888-5704 about any filming projects you may be interested in pursuing on the Refuge.

Additional permits may be required if photographing/filming polar bears or other marine mammals for commercial or educational purposes. Information about this process is available at Guidelines for Commercial or Educational Photography and Filming of Polar Bears.
 

Guidance for Film Narrative Letter

These are the application letter guidelines for a Motion/Still Photography permit for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Please describe your planned photography/filming in a narrative letter addressed to the refuge manager and submit it with a completed special use permit application. This letter is in addition to the permit application and should convey clear, concise information covering all aspects of the planned production, including:

• The company, type and number of employees on site;
• Other people or companies involved in the photography/filming (ex. recreational or hunting guide companies);
• Production equipment and methods to be used;
• When photography/filming will take place (ex. specific dates and/or timeframe);
• Where specifically the photography/filming will occur (ex. river drainage);
• Why the filming/photography is desired (i.e. How do you intend to use your footage? Who will you market it to? What is your film’s message?);
• The subject(s) of the filming/photography (ex. scenery, wildlife, biologists, hunters, etc.);
• Travel methods used to arrive at filming location (ex. chartered air taxi, boat, raft);
• Any additional information/explanations concerning your proposed activities.

Please be aware that helicopters are rarely authorized, therefore it is strongly suggested you plan on using other travel methods.

If you have any questions, please contact Permit Specialist Maria Berkeland at (907)456-0512 or arctic_permits@fws.gov