kilmer on wilderness press restrictions

8/11/2019 Kilmer on wilderness press restrictions

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FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN DEREK KILMER

Representing Washingtons 6th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jason Phelps

September 26, 2014 (202) 225-3459

Kilmer Urges U.S. Forest Service to Reconsider Proposal That Could Hinder Video and

Photography in Wilderness Areas

Kilmer in letter: I am concerned about important First Amendment rights

Proposed rule could require a special permit for commercial video and still photography

costing up to $1,500

WASHINGTON, DC Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) called on the U.S. Forest Service to reconsidera proposed rule that could limit video and photography in wilderness areas. In a lettersent Thursday to TomTidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Kilmer cautioned that the proposal could curtail First Amendmentrights and media access to public lands overseen by his agency.

The proposed directive from the U.S. Forest Service could require special-use permits that run as high as$1,500 for commercial video and still photography on National Forest System lands. The Forest Service willtake public comments on their proposal until December 3, 2014.

While I will continue to strongly support protecting our most vulnerable and iconic natural resources, I

believe we need to take a balanced approached that provides for reasonable public access to our federal

lands without burdensome costs and regulations, said Kilmer.Foremost, I am concerned about the

important First Amendment rights of journalists. They should be able to have access to these public areas in

order to communicate with the public whether about potential environmental challenges or extraordinary

natural assets.

In the letter Kilmer warned that the agency should not consider implementing rules that could harmjournalists ability to cover wilderness areas. Today, the Seattle Times reportedthat Idaho Public Television

ran into a permitting issue while trying to shoot footage to mark the Wilderness Act.

Kilmers 6thDistrict of Washington state includes Olympic National Forest, which has nearly a million acres

of wilderness. In 2013, more than 3 million people visited Olympic.

The full text of the letter follows.


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September 26, 2014

The Honorable Thomas L. Tidwell

Chief of the Forest Service

1400 Independence Ave., SWWashington DC 20250-1111

RE: Commercial Filming in Wilderness

Dear Chief Tidwell,

I write to express my concerns over the U.S. Forest Services proposal to limit the use of commercial video

and still photography on National Forest System lands. It is my understanding the Proposed Directive for

Commercial Filming in Wilderness could make it dramatically more difficult for individuals, news

organizations, and other media outlets to record and showcase the extraordinary qualities of these public

lands.

Reports indicate that those who seek to broadcast images of our national forest lands and wildlife could be

required to apply for a special-use permit, costing as much as $1,500. In reviewing these permits, the Forest

Service would have the ability to limit who can take photographs and videos, where videos and photographs

are taken, and how the media is used.

While I will continue to strongly support protecting our most vulnerable and iconic natural resources, I

believe we need to take a balanced approached that provides for reasonable public access to our federal

lands without burdensome costs and regulations.

Foremost, I am concerned about the important First Amendment rights of journalists. They should be able to

have access to these public areas in order to communicate with the public whether about potential

environmental challenges or extraordinary natural assets.

As an example, this last August, I invited members of the media to an event on Forest Service property at a

public trail alongside the Big Quilcene River to highlight efforts to increase protections for this important

watershed and the forest that surrounds it. I am concerned that regulations and costs like those under

consideration would create unnecessary barriers that would preclude local media members from

participating, and, as a consequence, local residents from having access to information about these stunning

lands and waters.

If we as a nation are going to develop the next generation of conservationists, we need to ensure folks have

access to and appreciation of our public lands and wilderness areas. We should encourage people to visit

them. Increasing access and showing off what our public lands have to offer inspires people to be thoughtful

stewards of these valuable areas for generations to come.


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I ask that the Forest Service carefully revisit its proposals to ensure that individuals and media outlets seeking

to spread the word about the importance of our shared natural resources are not subject to new, burdensome

regulations.

Thank you for this attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Derek Kilmer

U.S. Representative

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kilmer on wilderness press restrictions

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