[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31237-31238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15370]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


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

AGENCY: Umpqua National Forest, USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites.

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SUMMARY: The Umpqua National Forest is proposing to charge fees at six 
recreation sites that currently do not charge fees: Ash Flat Forest 
Camp and Three C Rock campgrounds and the South Umpqua Day Use Area on 
the Tiller Ranger District; Rujada Group Picnic Site and East Brice 
Creek/Champion Creek Trailhead on the Cottage Grove Ranger District; 
and Thielsen View Boat Launch on the Diamond Lake Ranger District. 
These sites currently meet, or can easily meet, the criteria of an 
Expanded or Standard Amenity fee. These sites have recently been 
reconstructed, have added or are scheduled to add amenities 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.
    Ash Flat Camp is an existing campground that, with the addition of 
garbage collection, will have seven of the nine amenities (toilet, 
tables, access, fire ring, fee collection, tent sites, and reasonable 
visitor protection) of an Expanded Amenity site. Three C Rock was 
originally a picnic area, but a recently added five-unit campground 
adjacent to the picnic area now qualifies the site as an Expanded 
Amenity Site. Garbage service would also be provided at both sites. A 
financial analysis determined the use fees for these two sites may 
range between $6.00 and $14.00 per camp unit per night. An additional 
$3.00 to $5.00 may be charged for each additional vehicle per night.
    South Umpqua Day Use Area has all six Standard Amenity improvements 
including a permanent toilet, garbage receptacle, parking, interpretive 
signs, picnic tables, and security. Additional facilities include 
barbeques and an observation deck. A fee vault would be added so 
recreation users could pay the fee on-site. The fee area would include 
parking along Road 28 within the designated area. People who park at 
these turnouts use the Day Use Area and its amenities. Financial 
analyses based on level of amenities suggest a day use fee of $1.00 to 
$5.00 per vehicle per day. The site is proposed to become a fee site 
where the Northwest Forest Pass ($5.00 per day or $30 for an annual 
pass) or other applicable passes would be accepted.
    Rujada Picnic Site is currently a free, day-use area with both 
group and individual picnic sites and a trailhead recreation site that 
is frequented by single families as well as large groups. The site 
provides all six of the Standard Amenity improvements including garbage 
collection, toilets, tables, parking, interpretive sign, and security 
as well as recent improvements including the installation of a new 
potable water line and faucets, and a play ground next to a large open 
area with horseshoes pits. Based on the level of amenities and the type 
of use occurring at this site, a Group Day Use reservation and fee is 
being proposed. There are 2 adjacent Group Use Sites, each with a 
maximum capacity of 20 to 30 people per site, or 40 to 65 for both 
sites. Each site will be available to reserve through the 
Recreation.gov reservation system. Rates being proposed are $25 per day 
for one site or $50 for both sites. These fees would be required only 
during the managed season of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day 
weekend.
    East Brice Trailhead, also known as Champion Creek Trailhead, is 
currently not a fee site. It is used for parking and access to the 
adjacent Noonday OHV trail system and 3 adjacent hiker/mountain bike 
trails. The site provides five of the six Standard Amenity improvements 
including a permanent

[[Page 31238]]

toilet, garbage receptacle, parking, interpretive sign, security, and 
if implemented, the sixth amenity, a picnic table, will be added as 
well as a fee vault. Financial analyses based on level of amenities 
suggest a day-use fee of $5.00 per vehicle per day. This site is 
proposed to become a fee site where the Northwest Forest Pass ($5.00 
per day or $30 for an annual pass) or other applicable passes would be 
accepted. Fees would be required only during the managed season of 
Memorial Day weekend through October.
    Thielsen View Boat Launch, is located within the Thielsen View 
Campground and is currently not a fee site. It is one of three highly 
developed boat launches on Diamond Lake. A $5.00 per vehicle/boat 
trailer per day fee is already charged at the other two boat launches. 
Improvements and amenities at the boat launch include the double-lane 
paved ramp, paved parking, mooring dock, toilet, garbage bins, and 
picnic tables. Financial analyses based on level of amenities suggest a 
fee of $5.00 or more per vehicle/boat trailer per day. This site is 
proposed to become a fee site where the Northwest Forest Pass ($5.00 
per day or $30 for an annual pass) or other applicable passes would be 
accepted. Persons already paying overnight camping or lodging fees at 
other sites on Diamond Lake would not be required to pay a day-use boat 
launch fee.

DATES: New fees would begin after May 2010 and contingent upon approval 
of the Recreation Resource Advisory Board. Comments concerning this 
notice should be received by July 31, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Bill Blackwell, Umpqua National 
Forest, 2900 NW. Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Comments may also 
be sent via e-mail to: commentspacificnorthwest-umpqua@fs fed. us, or 
via facsimile to 541-957-3495. Comments may be hand-delivered to the 
above address Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m., 
excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Blackwell, Assistant Forest 
Recreation Staff Officer, 541-957-3349. Information about proposed fee 
changes can also be found on the Umpqua National Forest Web site: 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua/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.

    Dated: June 16, 2009.
Clifford J. Dils,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-15370 Filed 6-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M