Supes to vote on permit-gettting process

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors will soon have an opportunity to sign an agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the county to expedite the process for filmmakers seeking permits from the U.S. Forest Service to film in the Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument.  

Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell presented the item to the board during its regularly scheduled meeting July 20 in Visalia.

“I would like to start negotiations with Tulare County to see if they’re interested in this agreement,” she said. “It’s beneficial for Tulare County to sign this agreement.”

The board was unable to act a week and a half ago because the item was not on its agenda, but Tulare County Tourism Manager Eric Coyne said he is targeting the Aug. 31 meeting to have the item up for vote.

“We’re anxious to bring it to the board for signature,” Coyne said Wednesday. “This is a no-brainer. We absolutely want to sign it.”

Currently, Coyne said it takes two to three weeks to obtain a permit to film on forest lands. If the agreement is struck between the USDA and the county, it will take just three to seven days.

“The county is very interested in expediting the process,” he said.

Several private organizations and counties, including Kern and Fresno, have already signed an agreement to fast-track the process of acquiring a permit.

Coyne said he is interested in signing the agreement for several reasons.

First, it is in the county’s strategic plan. Second, it would promote a greater understanding of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lastly, it would boost the local economy.

“What better way to showcase Tulare County,” Coyne said. “We’re one of the few places in the world where you can see Giant Sequoia trees, scenic vistas and waterfalls.”

From an economic point of view, Coyne said it would be hugely advantageous to have more productions filmed in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
“It can pump a huge amount of money into a local economy,” he said. “This is a win-win for us.”
Director Ang Lee’s “Hulk” was filmed partly at county-owned Balch Park in 2002 before it was released to the public in 2003.

Crews filmed on locations for a week, but they were in the park doing staging and preparation work for a month, Coyne said.

Carleen Kemmerling, owner of the Springville Inn, said her business received a nice boost because some of the actors, actresses and crew members stayed at the Inn.

“It’s always wonderful because business is really a struggle,” she said, “so we really like it when crews come in to film.”

Kemmerling said actress Jennifer Connelly went across the street to have breakfast at a local cafe.

“It always helps the town. It really does,” Kemmerling said. “There were some people who came in who were star struck and just wanted to see the actors and actresses.”

Kemmerling said she undoubtedly supports the potential agreement.

“When the movie industry is around,” she said, “there’s money to be made for everybody.”

Contact Alex K.W. Schultz at 784-5000, Ext. 1049 or aschultz@portervillerecorder.com.