Commercial tours (or ecotourism) consist of any fee-based service providing
educational enjoyment of Refuge lands and waters to the visiting public. These
services must aim to enhance the Refuge visitor’s knowledge and enjoyment of the
key natural, cultural, and historical resources and the mission of the Refuge. This use
includes tour groups brought to Refuge lands for guided wildlife observation or
photography, natural or cultural interpretation, nature study, and other wildlifeoriented
activities. The use may be conducted by a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
(Service) conservation partner, concessionaire, or private business. In all cases,
participants pay a fee to the individual guide, business, or nonprofit organization for
the unique skills, equipment, and expertise of the leader who enhances the
experience of the participating individual or party on Refuge lands.
Operating a commercial program on a refuge is a specialized use under Service policy
(Administration of Specialized Uses, 5 RM 17). To the extent that this use facilitates a
program on a refuge, it is also an economic use under relevant Federal regulation (50
CFR 29.1). Official authorization to access the Refuge for this use will occur through
issuance of a Special Use Permit (SUP). Individual guides, entities or companies would
need to request SUP issuance for review by Refuge management on a case-by-case
basis.