The department will issue permits for access to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary as provided in 5 AAC 92.065 as follows:

1. (1) for the period June 7 - August 25, the department will issue to an individual a reserved, nontransferable regular or standby bear viewing permit (5 AAC 92.065(b)) under the following conditions:

   1. (A) each application for a regular or standby bear viewing permit must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $30 application fee for each name on the application; the application and fee must be received in the department's Anchorage office by March 1;
   2. (B) an application that is incomplete or illegible or is not accompanied by complete application fees, if required, is void;
   3. (C) not more than three individuals may apply as a group on one application for a bear viewing or standby permit; no individual may be named on more than one application, and multiple applications are all void;
   4. (D) the department will hold the lottery drawing on March 15 and will notify successful applicants by mail;
   5. (E) after being selected for a regular or standby bear viewing permit an individual must pay the use fee before the permit will be issued; the use fee for a regular bear viewing permit is $225 for a resident and $525 for a nonresident; the use fee for a standby permit is $112 for a resident and $262 for a nonresident;
   6. (F) a permittee may return a bear viewing or standby permit before May 15 for a refund of the use fee; the department will not refund any money for a returned permit received after May 15;
2. (2) at any time during a year, the department will issue a permit for access to the sanctuary other than a permit described in (1), (3), or (4) of this section; a permit application must specify the location, time, and nature of activities to be conducted by the applicant in the sanctuary; the application fee for an access permit under this paragraph is $50; there is no use fee for this permit;
3. (3) there is no application fee for an access permit under 5 AAC 92.065(c) for a guide, air taxi operator, or lodge owner; the use fee for this permit is $200;

4. (4) for the period June 7 - August 25, the department will issue a scientific/educational permit under the following conditions:

   1. (A) each application for a scientific/educational permit must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $60 application fee for each name to be included on the scientific/educational permit; the application and fee must be received in the department's Anchorage office by December 1 of the previous year; up to four of the scientific/educational permits available each year may be designated as "commercial use/scientific/educational" permits for projects that

      1. (i) include filming, videography, or photography portraying the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary in a commercial product for sale;
      2. (ii) require special authorization or assistance from on-site personnel;
      3. (iii) produce products that will be used to create displays or public viewing opportunities requiring an entry fee;
      4. (iv) utilize sponsorship or fundraising through paid advertisements; or
      5. (v) create ancillary products for sale;
   2. (B) after being selected for a scientific/educational permit under this paragraph, each individual named on the permit must pay the use fee before the permit will be issued; the use fee for a scientific/educational permit is $225 for a resident and $525 for a nonresident.

(Eff. 8/8/87, Register 103; am 8/20/89, Register 111; am 7/12/92, Register 123; am 4/1/93, Register 125; am 2/27/94, Register 129; am 2/6/2000, Register 153; am 3/24/2018, Register 225)