An authorization from the appropriate governmental agency to another agency or to a private operator to use publicly owned land for certain purposes. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Forest Service issue permits for special uses not explicitly covered by timber, mining, or grazing laws or regulations on lands in the national forest system. Uses must be carefully controlled and be compatible with forest policy as well as with other uses. Commercial users pay a fair market fee to mine stone and gravel, operate ski areas, conduct sporting and planned recreation events, and construct rights-of-way, pipelines, power lines, and microwave stations. Other special uses include archeological explorations and leases for public buildings and summer homes.