Maple Sugaring on State Land Application Packet & Instructions Uses of State Lands Policy District Offices & Contacts

Leases, Licenses & Special Use Permits

ANR lands are generally open to the public without fee or formal authorization for a wide variety of educational, recreational, and other outdoor activities for individuals or small groups.  However, such activities and events, while legally and environmentally permissable, may alter a site or natural resources or may exclude other public uses, for varying periods of time.  For such activities and events, formal written authorization is required so that the Agency may better monitor, control and manage their impact and duration on ANR lands, natural resources, and the public.  Formal written authorization is typically by either Special Use Permit (SUP) or License. 

There are common management principles that generally apply to all Agency lands regardless of the specific Department

responsible for management. At the same time there are also some important differences in land management goals

between the departments in the Agency based on statutory and other legal requirements. Additionally, there are instances

where regulations or other legal requirements might apply to specific areas or activities on department lands, but will not

apply to all Agency lands. Please contact a license coordinator in the appropriate District Office if you have questions about an area or an activity you have

planned.

When a License or Permit is Needed

Generally an SUP or License is needed for any use of ANR land when the activity:

1. is organized or publicized;

2. involves a fee (charged to participants);

3. alters a site or alters/removes natural resources; or

4. may conflict with other established uses such as hiking, cross country skiing, scientific research, hunting, etc.

5. when group size exceeds 10 people, including guides.

For definitions of the different types of permits and specific activities requiring a license or permit, please refer to the Uses of State Lands policy.

Process for Obtaining a License or Permit

The process for obtaining permission to use ANR lands begins with reviewing and completing the Application Packet for Use of ANR Lands.  The application is accompanied by instructions to help you through the process.  This application form has interactive fields that can be completed if you have a recent version of Adobe Reader.  If you do not have a recent version, a link to download the updated version is provided below. In addition, each District Office of the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has a License Coordinator who can assist you.

Allowed Individual Recreational Uses: When a License or Permit is Not Required

There are a number of recreational activities by individuals that do not require an SUP or License.  Please refer to Appendix A of the Uses of State Lands policy for a list and an explanation of those activities.

Questions
If you have any questions about whether or not a permit is needed for an activity you are planning on ANR lands, you may contact the District Office in your region of the state.