[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 154 (Friday, August 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45064-45065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15618]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management, Interior

[CA680-1220-FU]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in San Bernardino 
County, CA Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA)

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Collect Fees on Public Land in the El 
Mirage Cooperative Management Area, in San Bernardino County, 
California.

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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's (BLM) Barstow Field Office proposes to begin 
collecting fees in fiscal year 2008 at the El Mirage Cooperative 
Management Area in San Bernardino County, California. (SBBM, T.7N., 
R.7W., Sec. 11 through 14, 22

[[Page 45065]]

through 28, 33 through 36, SBBM, T.7N., R.6W., Sec. 18 through 24, 26 
through 34, SBBM, T.6N., R.7W., Sec. 1 through 4, 12, SBBM, T.6N., 
R.6W., Sec. 4 through 9).

DATES: The public is encouraged to participate during the public 
comment period that will expire 30 days after publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register. Effective six months after the 
publication of this notice, the BLM's Barstow Field Office would 
initiate fee collection in the El Mirage Cooperative Management Area, 
unless the BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the contrary. The 
Pacific Southwest Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) 
will review the new fee well in advance of the proposed initiation 
date. Future adjustments in the fee amount will be modified in 
accordance with the BLM Barstow Field Office Business Plan, 
consultation with the Pacific Southwest Region RRAC, and other public 
notices prior to a fee increase.

ADDRESSES: Mail: Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Barstow 
Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roxie C. Trost, Field Manager, Barstow 
Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The El Mirage Cooperative Management Area 
qualifies as a site wherein visitors can be charged a ``Special 
Recreation Permit Fee'' authorized under section 3(h) of the Federal 
Lands Recreation and Enhancement Act (REA), 16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. In 
accordance with REA, and implementing regulations at 43 CFR Part 2930, 
visitors participating in OHV use (e.g., 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, 
motorcycles, quads, wind sails), would purchase a Special Recreation 
Permit (SRP) to operate their vehicle within the cooperative use area. 
The operators of each primary entry vehicle operating within the 
recreation area would be required to purchase and display the permit. 
Permits would expire on September 30 following issuance, regardless of 
when the permit was purchased. An opportunity to purchase an individual 
SRP pass either for the day or for a 7-day period would be available 
onsite to facilitate less frequent users. The BLM provides individual 
special recreation permits for management of special areas as specified 
in 43 CFR 2932.11. and in REA under section 3(h). The America the 
Beautiful--The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass 
(i.e., the Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, 
Interagency Access Pass, and Interagency Volunteer Pass) would not be 
honored and do not apply to the SRP fee. The National Parks Pass with 
Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access 
Passports would also not be honored and do not apply to the SRP fee. 
The El Mirage Cooperative Management Area is a popular off-highway 
vehicle recreation area offering significant opportunities for outdoor 
recreation and has received substantial Federal investment. The BLM's 
commitment is to find the proper balance between public use and the 
protection of resources. The BLM's policy is to collect fees at all 
specialized recreation sites, or where the BLM at Federal expense 
provides facilities, equipment or services in connection with outdoor 
use. In an effort to meet increasing demands for services and 
maintenance of existing facilities, routes and trails, the BLM would 
implement a fee program for the El Mirage Cooperative Management Area. 
The BLM's mission for the El Mirage Cooperative Management Fee 
Collection Project (Project) 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 the Project, including 
recreationists, other recreation providers, neighbors, and those who 
will have a stake in solving concerns that may arise throughout the 
life of the Project, such as elected officials and other agencies.
    On August 24, 1990, the BLM published the final Management Plan and 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the El Mirage Cooperative Management 
Area. This Management Plan and EA considered various ways to minimize 
the potential for resource damage from authorized uses, including 
cross-country OHV use. The BLM signed a decision record for this EA on 
January 19, 1990 and subsequently signed a Decision Record approving 
the proposed action in the Management Plan on June 29, 1990. The County 
of San Bernardino, County of Los Angeles, and California Off-Highway 
Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission and Division, as cooperators to the 
El Mirage Cooperative Management Area, signed their concurrence with 
the actions in the Management Plan in June 1990.
    In December 2004, REA was signed into law. 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 directs 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.
    The 1990 Management Plan allows for recreation opportunities, the 
issuance of use permits, and the charging of fees for each primary 
vehicle for use of the El Mirage Cooperative Management Area. The 
Barstow Field Office Business Plan prepared pursuant to REA and BLM 
recreation fee program policy also addresses the establishment of a 
permit process and the collection of user fees. This Business Plan, in 
conjunction with the Management Plan, establishes the rationale for 
charging recreation fees. In accordance with the BLM recreation fee 
program policy, the Business Plan explains the fee collection process, 
and outlines how the fees will be used at the El Mirage Cooperative 
Management Area. The BLM has notified and involved the public at each 
stage of the planning process, including the proposal to collect fees. 
Fee amounts will be posted on-site, and at the Barstow Field Office, 
and copies of the Business Plan will be available at the Barstow Field 
Office and the BLM California 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); 43 CFR 2932.13.

Roxie C. Trost,
Field Manager, Barstow Field Office.
[FR Doc. E7-15618 Filed 8-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P