[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 134 (Friday, July 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38614-38615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13692]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management, Interior

[ID-410-1232-FU-ID27]


Notice of Intent to Collect Fees on Public Land in Kootenai 
County, ID Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), 16 U.S.C. 6801, et seq., the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM)'s Coeur d'Alene Field Office is proposing to 
begin collecting fees in 2008 at the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch 
site on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho. The site is located 
within section 1 of Township 49 North, Range 3 West.

DATES: The public comment period will expire on August 13, 2007. The 
public is encouraged to participate in the public comment period. 
Effective six months after the publication of this notice, the BLM 
Coeur d'Alene Field Office will initiate fee collection at the Mineral 
Ridge Public Boat Launch site. The Coeur d'Alene District Resource 
Advisory Council (RAC) was presented this proposal on December 6, 2006 
and supports initiation of fees at this site. Fees will be established 
by separate supplemental rules pursuant to 43 CFR 8365.1-6. Future 
adjustments in the fee amount will be modified in accordance with the 
Coeur d'Alene Field Office Recreation Fee Business Plan, consultation 
with the Coeur d'Alene District RAC and other public notice prior to a 
fee increase.

ADDRESSES: Mail: Field Manager, Coeur d'Alene Field Office, 3815 
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Thomson, Field Manager, or Brian 
White, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Coeur d'Alene Field Office, 3815 
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815. (208) 769-5030 or (208) 769-
5031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coeur d'Alene Field Office is proposing 
a fee structure of $4.00 per vehicle for parking and/or boat launching 
at the Mineral Ridge Boat Launch site which is commensurate with other 
public facilities on Lake Coeur d'Alene. An annual pass would be 
available for $30.00 that would additionally be accepted at the BLM's 
Blackwell Island Public Boat Launch which is also located on Lake Coeur 
d'Alene. Development of this site is consistent with the Emerald Empire 
Management Framework Plan (1981) and was analyzed in the Coeur d'Alene 
Lake Recreation Area Management Plan Environmental Assessment of May, 
1993.
    The BLM is committed to providing, and receiving fair value for the 
use of, developed recreation facilities and services in a manner that 
meets public use demands, provides quality experiences and protects 
important resources. The BLM's policy is to collect fees at all 
specialized recreation sites, or where the BLM provides facilities, 
equipment or services, at federal expense, in connection with outdoor 
use. In an effort to meet increasing demands for services and 
maintenance of developed facilities, the BLM would implement a fee 
program for the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch. The BLM's mission for 
the site is to ensure that funding is available to maintain existing 
facilities and recreational opportunities, to provide for law 
enforcement presence, to develop additional services, and to protect 
resources. This mission entails communication with those who will be 
most directly affected by this project, including recreationists, other 
recreation providers, partners, neighbors, elected officials, other 
agencies and others who have a stake in addressing concerns that may 
arise from the BLM management of the site.
    Under section 3(g) of the REA, the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch 
on Lake Coeur d'Alene qualifies as a site wherein visitors can be 
charged an ``Expanded Amenity Recreation Fee.'' Visitors wishing to use 
the amenities at the site could purchase a recreation use permit (RUP) 
as described in 43 CFR Part 2930. Pursuant to the REA and implementing 
regulations at 43 CFR Subpart 2933, fees may be charged for day-use 
facilities such as the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch. Specific 
visitor fees and payment instructions will be clearly posted on site. 
Persons holding the America the Beautiful--The National Parks and 
Federal Recreational Lands--Senior Pass (i.e. Interagency Senior Pass), 
a Golden Age Passport, or the America the Beautiful--The National Parks 
and Federal Recreational Lands--Access Pass (i.e. Interagency Access 
Pass) or a Golden Access Passport will be entitled to a 50 percent

[[Page 38615]]

discount on the daily use fee or $30.00 annual pass.
    The Mineral Ridge Boat Launch includes a paved parking area, boat 
launch and mooring facilities, permanent toilet and trash receptacles, 
and interpretive signs. This site would join three other BLM sites on 
the lake that already charge comparable fees.
    The Fee Collection Business Plan prepared for the Mineral Ridge 
Public Boat Launch site provides for fee collection in considering: (1) 
The amount of the recreation fee shall be commensurate with the 
benefits and services provided to the visitor; (2) the aggregate effect 
of recreation fees on recreation users and recreation service 
providers; (3) comparable fees charged elsewhere by other public 
agencies and by nearby private sector operators; (4) public policy or 
management objectives served by the recreation fee; (5) suggestions and 
other guidance from the Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory 
Council (RAC); and (6) other factors or criteria as determined by the 
Secretary.
    The Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory Council (RAC); 
government officials; tribal, federal, state, county, and local 
government agencies; conservationists, recreationists, adjacent 
landowners and right-of-way holders have been or will be notified of 
the proposal to collect fees through direct mailings, bulletins, fee 
brochures, public meetings, and on-site public contacts.
    The REA provides authority for 10 years for the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, modify, charge, 
and collect recreation fees for use of some federal recreation lands 
and waters, and contains specific provisions addressing public 
involvement in the establishment of recreation fees, including a 
requirement that Recreation Resource Advisory Committees or Councils 
have the opportunity to make recommendations regarding establishment of 
such fees. The REA also directed the Secretaries of the Interior and 
Agriculture to publish advance notice in the Federal Register whenever 
new recreation fee areas are established under their respective 
jurisdictions. In accordance with the BLM recreation fee program 
policy, the Recreation Fee Business Plan for the site explains the fee 
collection process and outlines how the fees will be used on-site. The 
BLM has notified and involved the public at each stage of the planning 
process, including the proposal to collect fees. The Coeur d'Alene 
District RAC has reviewed the fee proposal and supports the concept. 
Fee amounts will be posted on-site, and at the Coeur d'Alene Field 
Office. Copies of the Business Plan are available for public review.
    The BLM welcomes public comments on this proposal. Please send any 
comments you have to the address specified in the ADDRESSES section. 
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other 
personal identifying information in your comment, you are advised that 
your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--
may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in 
your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying 
information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b).

Marc Shumaker,
Acting Coeur d'Alene Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E7-13692 Filed 7-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P