Our Services
Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are compatible with the refuge鈥檚 Congressionally mandated wildlife conservation goals.鈥疨ermits enable the public and scientific communities to engage in legitimate wildlife-related activities that would be otherwise prohibited by law. Service permit programs ensure that such activities are carried out in a manner that safeguards wildlife.鈥�
Types of Special Use Permits
The Service has developed three different Special Use Permit (SUP) forms which may enable the public to engage in activities considered a) commercial b) research and c) other general uses.
1. National Wildlife Refuge System Commercial Activities Special Use Application and Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-C) for:
- Commercial activities such as guiding hunters, anglers or other outdoor users;
- Agriculture (haying, grazing, crop planting, logging, beekeeping, and other agricultural products).
2. National Wildlife Refuge System Research and Monitoring Special Use Application and Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-R) for:
- Research and monitoring activities by students, universities, or other non-FWS organizations.
3. National Wildlife Refuge System General Special Use Application and Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G) for:
- Filming or still photography with a party of 9 or more people; filming or still photography that requires access to closed areas or exclusive access to the refuge; or filming or still photography that requires a set or staging equipment.
- Other (any activity not mentioned above and not usually available to the general public).
The above-referenced activities are not necessarily conducted on every refuge. Contact the Refuge manager to inquire whether we consider the proposed use appropriate or compatible on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.
See below for permit files. Prospective permit holders may fill out the corresponding application and return it to the refuge for processing. Please allow a minimum of two weeks for permit processing.
By email: [email protected]
By mail:
Pocosin Lakes NWR
P.O. Box 329
Columbia, NC 27925
The permit is not valid until approved and signed by a refuge official.
