[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44172-44173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15363]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-062-07-1220-EB]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in Grand County, 
Utah, Moab Field Office Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 
Act (REA)

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 Moab 
Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to 
begin collecting fees in 2008 for five camping areas: Lower Onion Creek 
(T. 24 S., R. 23 E., Sec. 10, within, SLM), Rock Castle (T. 25 S., R. 
24 E., Sec. 29, within, SLM), Ledge (T. 27 S., R. 21 E., Sections 3 and 
10, within, SLM), Cowboy Camp (T. 26 S., R. 19 E., Sec. 11, within, 
SLM), and Lone Mesa (T. 25 S., R. 19 E., Sec. 10, within, SLM). These 
proposed sites are located in Grand County, Utah.

DATES: Effective Date: The public is encouraged to participate during 
the public comment period that will expire 30 days after publication of 
this notice. Effective six months after the publication of this notice, 
the BLM, Moab Field Office will initiate fee collection at the Lower 
Onion Creek, Rock Castle, Ledge, Cowboy Camp, and Lone Mesa camping 
areas, as construction work is completed, unless the BLM publishes a 
Federal Register notice to the contrary. The Utah Resource Advisory 
Council (RAC), functioning as a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee 
(RRAC) has reviewed the proposal to charge fees at the sites mentioned 
above. The RAC unanimously approved the proposal at its May 2, 2007 
meeting. Future adjustments in the fee amount will be made in 
accordance with the Moab Field Office's recreation fee business plan 
covering the sites. Fee increases will be made after consultation with 
the RAC and other appropriate advance public notice.

ADDRESSES:  Mail: Field Manager, Moab Field Office, Bureau of Land 
Management, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532 or [email protected].

For Further Information, or to Provide Comment, Contact:  Russell von 
Koch, Recreation Branch Chief, Moab Field Office, Bureau of Land 
Management, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532 (435) 259-2100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Under Section 3(g) of the REA, the Lower 
Onion Creek, Rock Castle, Ledge, Cowboy Camp, and Lone Mesa camping 
areas the ``camping areas'' will qualify, upon completion, as sites 
wherein visitors can be charged an ``Expanded Amenity Recreation Fee.'' 
Visitors wishing to use the expanded amenities the BLM is developing at 
the five camping areas would purchase a recreation use permit as 
described at 43 CFR part 2930. Pursuant to REA and implementing 
regulations at 43 CFR subpart 2933, fees may be charged for overnight 
camping and group use reservations. Specific visitor fees will be 
identified and posted at the site. Fees must be paid at the self-
service pay station located at the site. People holding the America The 
Beautiful--The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands--Senior 
Pass (i.e., Interagency Senior Pass), a Golden Age Passport, 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 fee reduction on all fees 
except those associated with group reservations. Fees charged for use 
of the group sites would include a non-refundable site reservation fee 
and a per person use fee.
    The Lower Onion Creek and Rock Castle camping areas are within and 
adjacent to the Colorado Riverway Recreation Area which includes ten 
existing similar fee sites. The Lower Onion Creek site would include 
both group site facilities and individual campsites. The Rock Castle 
site has individual camp sites only. The Ledge area, which would have 
individual sites, is located in Kane Creek Canyon just upstream from 
the Colorado Riverway Recreation area near the junction of the Kane 
Creek and Hurrah Pass roads. The Lone Mesa site, located along the Dead 
Horse Mesa Scenic Byway, would include both group sites and individual 
campsites. The Cowboy Camp Camping Area is also located along the Dead 
Horse Mesa Scenic Byway and would have individual sites only.
    The BLM is committed to provide, and receive fair value for the use 
of developed recreation facilities and

[[Page 44173]]

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 as authorized by the REA. In an effort to 
meet increasing demands for services and maintenance of developed 
facilities, the BLM would implement a fee program for the camping 
areas. Implementing a fee program for the camping areas will help 
ensure that funding is available to maintain facilities and 
recreational opportunities, to provide for law enforcement presence, to 
develop additional services, and to protect resources. This entails 
communication with those who will be most directly affected by the 
camping areas, for example recreationists, other recreation providers, 
partners, neighbors, and those who will have a stake in solving 
concerns that may arise throughout the life of the camping areas, 
including elected officials, and other agencies.
    Development of the camping areas is consistent with the 1985 Grand 
Resource Management Plan and was analyzed in the following 
environmental documents: Kokopelli's Trail Improvements, UT-068-90-55, 
DR/FONSI signed 2/15/1990; Colorado Riverway Recreation Area Management 
Plan, UT-062-151, DR/FONSI signed 7/9/2001; Big Mesa and Cowboy Camp 
Camping Areas, UT-060-2006-115, DR/FONSI signed 7/10/2006, and Kane 
Creek Camping Areas, UT-060-2007-026, DR/FONSI forthcoming in June 
2007. Fees would be consistent with other established fee sites in the 
area including other BLM administered sites in the area and those 
managed by the USDA Forest Service, USDI National Park Service, and 
Utah State Parks and Recreation. Future adjustments in the fee amount 
will be made following the Moab Field Office's recreation fee business 
plan covering the sites, consultation with the RAC and other public 
notice prior to a fee increase.
    In December 2004, the REA was signed into law. The REA provides 
authority for 10 years for the Secretaries of the Interior and 
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. 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 Moab Field Office's 
recreation fee business plan both explains the fee collection process 
and how the fees will be used at the camping areas. BLM will notify and 
involve the public at each stage of the planning process, including the 
proposal to collect fees. The RAC has reviewed the fee proposal as 
well. Fee amounts will be posted on-site, and at the Moab Field Office, 
and copies of the business plan will be available at the Moab Field 
Office and the BLM Utah State Office.
    The BLM welcomes public comments on this proposal. Before including 
your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, be 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).

Maggie Wyatt,
Field Manager, Moab Field Office.
[FR Doc. E7-15363 Filed 8-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P