[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4058-4059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1683]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCON03000 L12320000.AL0000]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in Mesa County, 
CO Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act

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), the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 
Grand Junction Field Office is proposing to begin collecting fees in 
August of 2012 for overnight camping at the North Fruita Desert 
Campground within the North Fruita Desert Special Recreation Management 
Area (SRMA), North of Fruita, within Mesa County, Colorado. The North 
Fruita Desert was designated as an SRMA by the BLM in the North Fruita 
Desert Management Plan (August 2004).

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the BLM's proposal to collect fees in the North 
Fruita Desert Campground by February 27, 2012. Effective 6 months after 
publication of this notice, the BLM's Grand Junction Field Office would 
initiate fee collection in the North Fruita Desert Campground, 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:
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: (970) 244-3047.
     Mail: Michelle Bailey, Assistant Field Manager, BLM, Grand 
Junction Field Office, 2815 H. Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506.
    Copies of the fee proposal are available in the Grand Junction 
Field Office at the above address and online at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nca/mcnca/what_s_news_.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Bailey, Assistant Field 
Office Manager, 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 North Fruita Desert SRMA offers 
outstanding opportunities for world class mountain biking. The BLM's 
overall goal is to maintain the area's recreation experiences, quality 
social setting, and overnight camping while protecting natural 
resources requires substantial Federal investment. The BLM is committed 
to finding the proper balance between public use, reduction of user 
conflicts, and the protection of resources. The campground qualifies as 
a site wherein visitors can be charged a fee, authorized under Section 
803(h) of REA, 16 U.S.C. 6802(h). In accordance with REA and 
implementing regulations at 43 CFR part 2930, visitors would obtain an 
individual Special Recreation Permit to camp within the North Fruita 
Desert Campground. This fee would be required to be displayed at each 
campsite. Permits would expire at the beginning of the subsequent 
calendar day. The suggested fee per campsite, per night is $10.
    The BLM's goal for the North Fruita Desert Campground fee program 
is to ensure that funding is available to maintain the area in a 
naturally-appearing condition consistent with the recreation setting 
established by the North Fruita Desert Management Plan, to manage 
visitor use to provide a quality recreation experience under existing 
rules and regulations by providing 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 campground.
    The BLM published the North Fruita Desert Campground Business Plan 
in August 2008 and updated it in November 2011, which outlines 
operational goals of the area and the purpose of the fee program. This 
Business Plan provides management direction for public enjoyment of 
these public lands through the recreational experience of overnight 
camping, 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 online at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html. The 
North Fruita Desert Campground Business Plan addresses recreation 
opportunities and fees for camping within the SRMA. This plan, prepared 
pursuant to the REA and the BLM recreation fee program policy, also 
addresses establishing 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 special area. 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 special area. The Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory 
Committee (NW RAC) reviewed and recommended the approval of this 
proposal at its December 1, 2011, meeting. Future adjustments in the 
fee amount would be made in accordance with the North Fruita Desert 
Campground Business Plan and through consultation with the NW RAC and 
the public prior to a fee increase. Fee amounts will be posted on-site 
and online at the GJFO Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html. Copies of the Business Plan will be available at the Grand 
Junction Field Office.
    The BLM welcomes public comments on this proposal. Before including 
your address, phone number, email 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 withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.


[[Page 4059]]


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

Steven Hall,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-1683 Filed 1-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P