Webcast hearing Wednesday on restricting photography on federal lands
The House Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing on "New fees for Filming and Photography on Public lands" Wednesday, Dec. 12, and you can tune in to the live webcast, starting 10 a.m. at
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/. The Department of Interior wants to implement Public Law 106-206, passed by Congress in 2000, which requires fees and permits for big film productions on public lands, such as national parks and forests. However, the
proposed regulations extend past the law, imposing fees on documentaries, audio taping, commercial photography, and any still photography that the agency feels is "inappropriate." The Society of Environmental Journalists and others will testify at the hearing. SEJ submitted a lengthy
letter, with SPJ signing on, opposing the regulations.