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Friday, September 26, 2014

U.S. Forest Service reverses stance on photos, says proposed rules wouldn't apply to news media

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said on Thursday that proposed rules to charge for photographing and filming on National Forest System lands do not apply to the news media, Rob Davis reports for The Oregonian. Tidwell did not address why Forest Service officials told the media on Tuesday that the rules did apply to them.

Tidwell said in a statement: "The U.S. Forest Service remains committed to the First Amendment. To be clear, provisions in the draft directive do not apply to news gathering or activities." The agency's news release also said "the maximum $1,500 permit fees reported by The Oregonian and widely cited by other publications were 'erroneous and refers to a different proposed directive,'" but didn't specify the nature of the other directive, Davis writes.

The Forest Service also has extended the public comment period for the proposed rules to Dec. 3, to allow more input on its photography rules, Davis writes. "A host of bipartisan lawmakers said the proposal should instead be scrapped." (Read more)

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