WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on the Forest Service’s proposed rule, expected to be finalized in November, which would require photographers to buy special permits – at a cost of up to $1,500 – to shoot photos or video in wilderness areas:

“This proposed regulation is just one example of the kind of federal overreach that comes when we lock up our public lands in wilderness designations,” Murkowski said. “Although The Wilderness Act does restrict commercial enterprise in wilderness areas, the Forest Service needs to exercise some common sense here. No one should have to fear that the federal government is going to use such a designation to restrict or prohibit you from news gathering or taking photos. If the Forest Service is intent on moving forward with its proposed regulation it must make clear that these kinds of activities are exempt.”

Murkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

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