Bureau of Reclamation
A Land Use Authorization (generally a short-term permit) is required for commercial filming and photography on lands, waterbodies, and facilities managed by the Bureau of Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region, including motion picture filming, video taping, sound recording, and still photography.
Begin the process by completing the Right-of-Use Application Form (7-2540) and sending it, with the $100 nonrefundable application fee payable to the Bureau of Reclamation, to your nearest Area Office.
Reclamation will acknowledge your application in writing within 30 calendar days. If the use is appropriate, staff will estimate administrative costs and use fees, which must be paid before the Use Authorization is issued.
Bureau of Reclamation: Mid-Pacific Region
Standard Requirements
Permit Requirement
A Use Authorization is required when filming or photography takes place where or when the public is generally not allowed, involves product or service advertising, uses models, sets, or props, or requires management to prevent resource damage or significant disruption of visitor or agency use.
Application Deadline
Reclamation acknowledges completed applications within 30 calendar days of receipt; total processing time depends on the complexity of the requested use. No activity may begin until a fully executed Use Authorization is issued.
Insurance Requirements
The application asks for the name of your insurance carrier; some uses require proof of insurance.
Fee Schedule
Fees include a $100 nonrefundable application fee, all administrative costs (processing, issuing, monitoring, and terminating the authorization), and a daily location fee. Commercial filming: $150/day (1–5 people, hand-carried equipment); $200/day (1–5 people, other equipment); $300 (6–10); $500 (11–20); $800 (21–40); $1,200 (41–60) per day/location; over 60 people, $1,200 plus $25 per person above 60. Still photography: $150/day (1–5, hand-carried); $200/day (1–5, other equipment); $300 (6–10); $400 (11–20) per day/location; over 20 people, $20 per person per day/location. Any part of a day is charged as a full 24-hour day. Fees may rarely be reduced or waived by the Regional Director; non-Reclamation staff may bill separately.
Special Locations & Restricted Filming Zones
Script Content Review
To ensure script content does not misrepresent Reclamation or show federal employees inappropriately, the script (or script concept) must be reviewed and approved by the Regional Public Affairs Officer before a permit is issued.
Office of Public Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Bureau of Reclamation
Phone:
Email:
2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
Additional Resources
Locations in the Bureau of Reclamation jurisdiction
No locations listed yet.