DRAFT BILL REDUCES FEES FOR
FILMING ON PUBLIC LANDS
|
 The House Committee on Natural Resources has responded to the December 2007 Congressional testimony by media organizations, including POMA, that called for changes to an existing law that requires photographers/videographers to pay
substantial fees for filming on public lands. In addition to assessing fees, the current law leaves enforcement in the hands of local, public-land rangers or administrators.
"Under the current law there is no consistency in fees charged or enforcement," explained Steve Scott, POMA chairman. "Fees range from $100 to $250 per day to $200-plus per year, per unit. In addition, videographers and photographers are forced to work with individual rangers at each public-land unit they
visit, which is problematic at best because the law is interpreted differently by different individuals. Further, there have been instances where local authorities have confiscated film equipment from journalists who were unaware of the law and did not have the proper local permit."
The draft bill calls for a $200 annual permit that would allow photographers and film
crews, of up to five people, to photograph as much as
they want on public lands nationwide. The annual pass would also eliminate the need to garner permission from individual rangers at
each locale or fall prey to inconsistent analysis of the law.
Although most journalists believe no fee should be charged
to individual photographers/videographers or small crews of less than
five people, the draft bill is a positive step on behalf of independent journalists
and small film crews by the Committee on Natural Resources. If passed, the bill could save photographers/film crews thousands of dollars annually.
All
POMA members and other interested parties are urged to offer positive encouragement for passage of the bill to Committee Chairman Congressman Nick J. Rahall II of West Virginia and Ranking Republican Member Congressman Don Young of Alaska. Congressman Young does not accept e-mail from non-constituents via his Web site. Call or send comments to:
Congressman Don Young
Alaska-At Large, Republican
2111 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515-0201
Phone: 202-225-5765
|
| Contact POMA
|
Laurie Lee Dovey, Executive Director, lldovey@professionaloutdoormedia.org
Shelly Moore, Executive Assistant, smoore@professionaloutdoormedia.org
POMA
P.O. Box 1569
Johnstown, PA 15907
814-254-4719
|
