[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69099-69100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9447]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites; Federal Lands Recreation 
Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)

AGENCY: Willamette National Forest, USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Willamette National Forest is planning to charge fees at 
six recreation sites. All sites have recently been reconstructed or 
amenities are being added to improve services and experiences. Fees are 
assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of 
operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment.
    The fees listed are only proposed and will be determined upon 
further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for 
the continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites.
    Gold Butte and Timber Butte Lookouts will be available for 
overnight rental. A financial analysis is being completed to determine 
the rental fee but may range between $40 and $80 per night. Lookout 
rentals offer a unique experience and are a widely popular offering on 
National Forests. Gold Butte was recently resorted to maintain the 
lookout's eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. Fees 
would continue to help protect and maintain lookouts and their historic 
integrity.
    The fee structure at Harralson Horse Camp would change from the 
required Recreation Pass to a $10 per campsite for overnight use. A fee 
of $5 per additional vehicle would be required per campsite. Recreation 
passes such as the Northwest Forest Pass would continue to cover day 
use fees at the trailhead. Additional amenities are proposed for the 
facility and may include hitching rails, additional corrals and 
campsites, and a water system. Improvements allow visitors with horses 
to safely secure their stock while protecting area resources from 
degradation.
    Elk Lake Campground is currently a fee free site. Improvements are 
being made including designating up to 17 campsites, installing fire 
rings, picnic tables and adding garbage service. Three new toilets were 
installed last year. Improvements will address sanitation and safety 
concerns, and improve deteriorating resource conditions and recreation 
experiences. A financial analysis is being completed to determine fee 
rates. The proposed fee to help maintain this site would range between 
$6 and $8 a campsite, $12-$16 for a double site, and $5 per one 
additional vehicle per campsite.
    Whitewater Trailhead would be re-established as a fee site since 
amenities such as toilets and garbage service have been added, and 
interpretive signing is being developed for this site. Recreation 
Passes such as the Northwest Forest Pass would cover day use fees for 
this trailhead. Northwest Forest Passes are $5 for a daily pass and $30 
for an annual pass. The Forest Service proposes to continue charging a 
$5 per vehicle fee at Upper Arm Day Use Site from October through 
March. This newly constructed picnic site and formal swimming area 
opened in June of 2006, and is operated by Santiam Recreation under a 
concessionaire special use permit from April through September. The 
concessionaire currently charges a $5 per vehicle fee during the 
operating season of their permit.

DATES: New fees would begin after May 2007 and contingent upon 
completion of certain improvements. The lookout rentals would be 
available once a final decision is made and is listed with the National 
Recreation Reservation Service.

ADDRESSES: Dalles Emch, Forest Supervisor, Willamette National Forest, 
211 East 7th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dani Pavoni, Recreation Fee 
Coordinator, 503-854-4208. Information about proposed fee changes can 
also be found on the Willamette National Forest Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation/index.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VII, Pub. L. 108-447) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to 
publish a six month advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new 
recreation fee areas are established. Once public involvement is 
complete, these new fees will be reviewed by a Recreation Resource 
Advisory Committee prior to a final decision and implementation. People 
wanting to rent Gold Butte or Timber Butte Lookouts would need to do so 
through the National Recreation Reservation Service, at 
www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777 when it becomes 
available.


[[Page 69100]]


    Dated: November 21, 2006.
Dalles Emch,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 06-9447 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M