[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1846-1847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-679]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Interim Flat Fee Policy for Outfitting and Guiding Activities; 
Alaska National Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Regional Forester, Alaska Region, has adopted an interim 
flat fee policy for all outfitting and guiding activities on National 
Forest Systems (NFS) lands in the Alaska Region. Developed in response 
to an order from the Federal District Court in Alaska arising from a 
lawsuit filed by The Tongass Conservancy, the interim flat fee policy 
is designed to charge fees that are fair and equitable to the Federal 
government and the Alaska outfitter and guide industry.
    On July 21, 1999, the Forest Service requested comments on a 
proposed interim flat fee policy for all outfitting and guiding 
activities on NFS lands in the Alaska Region. Notification of the 
policy was published in the Federal Register, in the local newspapers, 
distributed to interested parties, and posted on the worldwide web. 
Consideration was given to all responses in formulation of the final 
interim policy. The interim policy is issued as

[[Page 1847]]

a regional supplement to Section 37.2 of the Forest Service Special 
Uses Handbook, FSH 2709.11.
    Copies of the interim flat fee schedule and policy are being sent 
to all holders of Forest Service outfitting and guiding permits in 
Alaska and other potentially interested parties. In addition, notice of 
the proposal is being published in local newspapers of record, and the 
policy and fee schedule are being posted on the worldwide web. The 
purpose of this notice is to advise others who may have an interest in 
the interim fee policy.

DATES: Effective February 14, 2000. Except for outfitters and guides 
using the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, who will continue to operate 
under the mandatory flat fee schedule that was implemented in 1996, and 
outfitters and guides who are paying fees that have been determined 
through a competitive process, permit holders will have the choice of 
using the interim flat fee schedule or one of the current fee 
calculations methods for the 1999 and 2000 permit periods through 
December 31, 2000. Permit holders must notify their permit 
administrators of their choice of fee calculation methods for the 1999 
operating season by March 15, 2000. For the year 2000 operating season, 
eligible permit holders must select the preferred method of fee 
calculation prior to the year 2000 operating season. Beginning January 
1, 2001, permit fees for all outfitting and guiding in Alaska's 
national forests will be determined using flat fees except for those 
permits which have had their fees established by a competitive process.

ADDRESSES: For copies of the proposed interim flat fee policy, write to 
the Regional Forester, Attention: Public Services, Alaska Region, P.O. 
Box 21628, Juneau, AK 99802-1628 or access the document online at 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/what's__hot/hot.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The local Forest Service Ranger 
District, Supervisor's Office, or Arn Albrecht, (907) 586-7886, or Don 
fisher, (907) 586-7861, in the Alaska Regional Office.

    Dated: January 5, 2000.
Rick D. Cables,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 00-679 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M