Public vs. Private Management: Marketing Videos and Hot Dogs
One of the more popular features we have been experimenting with is adding aerial video of campgrounds we operate shot from small drones. Customers love these and find them a great way to experience the campground before the commit to a visit. Here is an example:
We have done this for all the campgrounds where we have a long-term lease and substantial leeway in operating the park. However, we have not yet done any videos for the scores of Forest Service. Perhaps this is why -- here is what I have to do to film a campground the FS has already contracted us to operate and market:
We ask for at least 2 weeks advance notice in order to prepare a permit and have the documentation reviewed by our aviation staff. The proposal would need to include how your drone operations would address public safety and impacts to users in the campgrounds (I believe that you have to have people’s permission to film them so how to avoid that). Also as you stated all activities would stay above your sites – no flights above Wilderness or the creek or adjacent canyons. Due to listed species in the canyon, drone activity would need to occur after September 1 which is after the spotted owl breeding season. The drone would need to be operated by a FAA licensed commercial drone operator and we would need documentation of a FAA Part 107 Remote pilots license or COA from the FAA. In addition, we would need to have the operator coordinate with our aviation manager and provide the below information, with direction to be included in a permit so they can get the information out to our aviation assets in the area:
All approved areas on the forest are to be used at your own risk while adhering to all FAA rules and regulations for UAS operations. Notification to the Forest Interagency Aviation Officer at least 24 hours prior to operations is required to help de-conflict airspace with fire aircraft and other forest aviation assets. Include in your notification:
- Date, time and location of flight
- Names and contact information of pilot(s)
- Make and model of UAS
Fees are based on crew size, 1-10 people for video is $150/day.
Several years ago, I was at a meeting in Washington with senior leaders in the Department of Agriculture, including from the Forest Service, and from a number of other recreation agencies. (You never thought of the Department of Agriculture as a recreation agency did you? They may have more total recreation sites (not visitation, but absolute number of locations) than Department of Interior. Anyway, these senior leaders were talking about being more visitor-focused. They were talking about sophisticated programs to provide all sorts of innovative visitor services, and after a while I just started laughing. They asked me why, and I pulled up on my tablet a letter I had just received from a Forest Service District Ranger (the lowest level line officer) who denied my request to make and sell hot dogs at a store next to a busy Florida swimming hole we run.
While we appreciate your attempt to provide additional services to recreationists, this service is not consistent with current services offered in other recreation areas. As a Forest, we would like to provide recreationists with the bare necessities to ensure that their visit is enjoyable. The sale of hot dogs and nachos is out of that scope.
