[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 67 (Friday, April 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15303-15304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8392]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-059-1220-00]


Special Area--Fee Adjustment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Fee adjustment for use of Special Area within Butte County, 
California.

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SUMMARY: The BLM is adjusting the daily fee from $1.50 per site, per 
day to $2.50 per site, per day for recreational mineral collection at 
the Forks of Butte Creek Special Recreation Management Area. This fee 
adjustment is required to reflect the current market value of the 
recreation opportunity being offered by BLM, and to reduce over-
crowding within the Special Recreation Management Area.

DATES: This fee adjustment will take effect April 5, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charles M. Schultz, Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management, 355 
Hemsted Drive, Redding, CA 96002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forks of Butte Creek Special Recreation 
Management Area in Butte County, California, was placed under 
protective withdrawal (S 4528) by Public Land Order 5329 on January 18, 
1973, to segregate the area from all forms of appropriation, including 
the mining laws. While the mineral rights to much of this area continue 
to be held under mining claims that pre-date this withdrawal, several 
segments (sites of Butte Creek are not encumbered with mining claims. 
These sites have become extremely popular for recreational mineral 
collection via panning, sluicing and dredging.
    Since April 15, 1987, the BLM has required recreational panners, 
sluicers and dredgers to obtain, and operate under the terms of, a use 
permit for mineral collection within the Forks of Butte Creek Special 
Recreational Management Area. Use permits are required for all forms of 
intrusive mineral collection such as dredging, pumping, sluicing, and 
extensive panning. Extensive panning is defined as panning which uses a 
digging instrument with a blade larger than 4 inches wide and 8 inches 
long. No use permit is required for non-intrusive gold panning, using 
only a small spoon or trowel for digging.
    The fee for intrusive use has been $1.50 per site, per day. By 
adjusting the fee to $2.50 per site, per day, the fee better reflects 
the market value of the opportunity being offered, and reduce over-
crowding on the creek.
    The authority for this fee adjustment is 43 CFR 8372. Any person 
who

[[Page 15304]]
engages in intrusive mineral collection within the Forks of Butte Creek 
Special Recreation Area in violation of permit terms or stipulations 
may be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not 
exceed 12 months.
Charles M. Schultz,
Redding Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-8392 Filed 4-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M