[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 2850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-889]


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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: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of proposed new fee sites.

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SUMMARY: The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is planning to charge fees 
at eight 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 comments. Funds from fees would be used for 
the continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites.
    Moss Springs Guard Station will be available for overnight rental. 
A financial analysis is being completed to determine the rental fee but 
may range between $60 and $80 per night. Rental cabins offer a unique 
experience and are a widely popular offering on National Forests. Moss 
Springs Guard Station was restored in the late 1990s to maintain its 
historic value and provide overnight use by the public. It was taken 
off the rental system over five years ago; however, renewed interest by 
the public for rental cabins has increased. Fees would continue to help 
protect the historic integrity of the Moss Springs Guard Station.
    The following campgrounds are currently a fee free site: Two Color, 
Umapine, Boulder Park, North Fork Catherine Creek Group Site, Spring 
Creek and Oregon Trail Interpretive Park. These sites provide 
campsites, fire rings, picnic tables and toilets. New toilets were 
installed at most of these developed recreation sites within the last 
five years. The new fee 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 these sites would range 
between $8 and $15 a campsite and $3 per one additional vehicle per 
campsite.
    The Elkhorn Crest Trailhead would be re-established as a fee site 
since amenities such as 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.

DATES: The Agency must receive public comments before July 30, 2010. 
New fees would begin after July 30, 2010 and contingent upon completion 
of certain improvements. The cabin rental would be available once a 
final decision is made and is listed with the National Recreation 
Reservation Service.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, ATTN: Recreation 
Fee Proposals, P.O. Box 907, Baker City, Oregon 97814.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, 
ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals, 1550 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, Oregon 
97814.
     E-Mail: [email protected].
     Fax: 541-523-1315.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Ermovick, Forest Recreation 
Manager, 541-523-1250. Information about proposed fee changes can also 
be found on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wallowa-whitman/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 Moss Springs Guard Station would need to do 
so through the National Recreation Reservation Service, at http://www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777 when it becomes 
available.

    Dated: January 8, 2010.
Steven A. Ellis,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-889 Filed 1-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P