Feds want to restrict filming in wilderness areas

Zach Urness statesmanjournal.com The U.S. Forest Service has proposed a set of rules that would strictly limit filming and photography in federal wilderness areas by media companies, commercial outfitters, nonprofit groups and even, potentially, members of the general public. The directive, which has been on the books for 48 months but hasn't been enforced, is intended to tighten restrictions on people and organizations that derive commercial gain or seek to raise funds through images taken within the 36 million acres of wilderness area managed by the Forest Service. The proposed rules would require newspaper photographers, television producers or filmmakers to obtain a special use permit before entering a wilderness area — unless they were covering "breaking news." A Forest Service supervisor would then determine whether the story has merit under the criteria of the directive. The special use permit could be denied, raising First Amendment concerns. A fine of $1,000 could be imposed on anyone caught breaking the rule. to read more: statesmanjournal.com