[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 111 (Thursday, June 9, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33778-33780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14088]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management,

[CA0600-L12200000.AL0000.LXSS026B0000]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in the San 
Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area, in Eastern 
Fresno and Madera Counties, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Lands

[[Page 33779]]

Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 
Bakersfield Field Office proposes to begin collecting fees in fiscal 
year 2011 at the San Joaquin River Gorge (SJRG) Special Recreation 
Management Area (SRMA) in eastern Fresno and Madera Counties, 
California, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment 
period. The fee proposal results from analysis and planning direction 
provided by the SJRG Business Plan, which outlines operational goals of 
the area and the purpose of the fee program.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the BLM's proposal to collect fees in the SJRG SRMA 
by July 11, 2011. Effective 6 months after the publication of this 
notice, the BLM's Bakersfield Field Office would initiate fee 
collection in the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management 
Area, unless the BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the 
contrary.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this fee collection proposal by 
any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax: (661) 391-6041.
     Mail: Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, 
Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, California 
93308.

Copies of the fee proposal are available in the Bakersfield Field 
Office at the above address and online at http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Z. Smith, Field Manager, 
telephone (661) 391-6000 or at the address above. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The San Joaquin River Gorge Management Area 
is a popular 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, and provide 
enhanced recreation services and opportunities, the BLM proposes to 
implement a fee program for the SJRG SRMA which qualifies as a site 
wherein visitors can be charged a ``Standard Amenity Fee'' authorized 
under Section 803(f) of REA, 16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. In accordance with 
REA and implementing regulations at 43 CFR 2930, visitors would 
purchase a Recreation Use Permit (RUP) to cover the standard amenity 
day use fee to recreate within the SRMA. The driver of each vehicle 
operating within the recreation area would be required to purchase and 
display the permit. Permits would expire at the end of the calendar 
day. Annual passes could also be purchased from the SJRG or Bakersfield 
Field Office, or at 3-Forests Interpretive Association sales outlets on 
the Sierra National Forest. Holders of the America the Beautiful 
Federal Lands Recreation Pass do not have to pay the standard amenity 
fee and are also entitled to discounts on expanded amenity fees such as 
camping. Valid Golden Age or Golden Access or Volunteer passes would 
also be accepted. Campers would be exempt from the standard amenity fee 
as long as the camping fee has been paid and a permit is displayed on 
the primary vehicle. Additional vehicles per site would pay the 
standard amenity (day use) fee, but would not have to pay the campsite 
fee unless the capacity of the campsite is exceeded. If site capacity 
is exceeded, the party would be required to purchase an additional 
campsite and they would be exempt from the standard amenity fee. 
Recreationists who are traveling into or through the area via foot, 
horse, or bicycle without using the facilities or services would be 
exempt from the standard amenity fee.
    Suggested fees for use of a walk-in campsite at the campground are 
$10 single and $15 for double and triple sites. Fees for the use of the 
group campground would be $175 and $25 for non-exclusive use of the 
horse camp. Interpretive and educational programs would cost $15 per 
person for up to a half day (4 hours) and $20 per person for a full day 
(6+ hours). The proposal would also charge a $5 per vehicle day use 
fee. An annual pass would be available for $40.
    The BLM's goal for the SJRG SRMA fee program is to ensure that 
funding is available to maintain and enhance existing facilities and 
recreational opportunities, to provide for increased law enforcement 
presence, to develop additional services such as expanding 
interpretive/educational programming, and to protect resources. All 
fees collected would be used for expenses within the SJRG SRMA.
    In April 2010, the BLM published the SJRG Business Plan which 
outlines operational goals of the area and the purpose of the fee 
program. This Business Plan provides management direction for public 
access to a variety of recreational opportunities and landscapes while 
minimizing the potential for resource damage from authorized uses. The 
Plan also provides a market analysis of local recreation sites and sets 
the basis for the fee proposal. The plan is available on line at: 
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/Recreation_opportunities/SJRG_SRMA.
    The SJRG Business Plan addresses recreation opportunities, the 
issuance of use permits, and the charging of fees for each primary 
vehicle for use of the Management Area. This 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 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 
would be used at the SJRG SRMA. The BLM has notified and involved the 
public at each stage of the planning process, including the proposal to 
collect fees, through notifications on-site and several public meetings 
to present and gather ideas concerning fees within the SRMA. The 
Pacific Southwest Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) 
recommended approval of the fee proposal at its June 24, 2010, meeting 
in Mammoth Lakes, California. Future adjustments in the fee amount 
would be modified in accordance with the SJRG Business Plan, and 
through consultation with the Pacific Southwest Region RRAC and the 
public prior to a fee increase. Fee amounts will be posted on-site and 
online at the Bakersfield Field Office Web site at: http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield. Copies of the Business Plan will be 
available at the Bakersfield Field Office, at the San Joaquin River 
Gorge office, the BLM California State Office and online at Bakersfield 
Field Office Web site.
    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, you should be aware 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

[[Page 33780]]

withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b) and 43 CFR 2932.13.

Kathryn D. Hardy,
 Central California District Manager.
[FR Doc. 2011-14088 Filed 6-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P