[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21805-21806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8615]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCON03400 L17110000.AL0000]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in Mesa County, 
CO (Ruby-Horsethief Stretch of the Colorado River) Under the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 for 
overnight camping on the Ruby-Horsethief stretch of the Colorado River, 
between Loma, Colorado, and the Colorado State Line, Mesa County, 
Colorado. The Ruby-Horsethief stretch of the Colorado River was 
designated as a Special Area by the BLM in the Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge 
Integrated Resource Management Plan (March 1998).

DATES: The BLM's Grand Junction Field Office and McInnis Canyons NCA 
will initiate fee collection in the Ruby-Horsethief Special Area 
starting May 1, 2013, unless the BLM publishes a Federal Register 
notice to the contrary.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the fee proposal are available at the Grand 
Junction Field Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506; phone: 
970-244-3000; and online at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nca/mcnca/what_s_news_.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie A. Stevens, National 
Conservation Area Manager, at the address above, or via email at 
[email protected]. 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 Ruby-Horsethief Special Area offers 
outstanding opportunities for overnight, flat-water boating in the Ruby 
and Horsethief River Canyons. The special area also provides access to 
high-quality, outdoor recreation opportunities (primarily wilderness 
hiking and camping) in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and the 
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (MCNCA). Maintaining a 
naturally appearing recreation setting, a quality social setting, and 
managing the area for overnight camping while protecting natural 
resources requires substantial Federal investment. The BLM is committed 
to finding the proper balance between public use and the protection of 
resources. The BLM may collect fees in conjunction with a Special 
Recreation Permit (SRP) as required to manage visitor use, protect 
natural and cultural resources, achieve the goals and objectives of the 
MCNCA land use plan, and authorize specific types of recreational 
activities. The special area qualifies as a site wherein visitors can 
be charged a fee in conjunction with an SRP, authorized under Section 
803(h) of the REA, 16 U.S.C. 6802(h). In accordance with the REA and 
implementing regulations at 43 CFR

[[Page 21806]]

2930, visitors would obtain an individual SRP to camp within the Ruby-
Horsethief Special Area. This SRP would be required to be displayed at 
each campsite. Permits would expire at the beginning of the subsequent 
calendar day.
    Suggested fees for campsite usage would be based on group size: $20 
for a small group (1-5), $50 for a medium group (6-14) and $100 for a 
large group (15-25). The BLM's goal for the Ruby-Horsethief fee program 
is to provide a quality recreational experience and maintain the area 
in a naturally appearing condition consistent with the recreation 
setting established by the RMP; manage visitor use under existing rules 
and regulations by providing for increased law enforcement presence; 
develop additional services, such as expanding interpretive/educational 
programming; and protect resources. All fees collected would be used 
for expenses within the river corridor.
    In November and December 2011, the BLM completed and made available 
two documents to provide information to the public: The Ruby-Horsethief 
Business Plan (posted in November 2011) and the Ruby-Horsethief 
Environmental Assessment (EA) Decision Record and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (signed December 21, 2011). The Business Plan 
outlines operational goals of the area and the purpose of the fee 
program. The EA, Decision Record and Finding of No Significant Impact 
conclude three full years of public involvement and outreach related to 
the fee and permit. Both the Business Plan and the EA provide 
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 Business Plan 
also provides a market analysis of local recreation sites and sets the 
basis for the fee proposal. Both documents are available online at: 
http:[sol][sol]www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nca/mcnca/what_s_news_.html.
    The Business Plan addresses recreation opportunities, the issuance 
of SRPs, and the charging of fees according to group size for camping 
within the special area. This Business Plan, prepared pursuant to the 
REA and BLM recreation fee program policy, also addresses the 
establishment of a permit process and the collection of user fees. It 
establishes the rationale for charging recreation fees, explains the 
fee collection process, and outlines how the fees would be used at the 
Ruby-Horsethief Special Area. The BLM has notified and involved the 
public at each stage of the planning process, including the proposal to 
collect fees, through on-site notifications and several public meetings 
to present and gather ideas concerning fees within the special area. 
The Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Committee (NW RAC) considered 
the proposal at its December 1, 2011, meeting and recommended approval. 
Future adjustments in the fee amount would be made in accordance with 
the 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 MCNCA Web site at: http:[sol][sol]www.blm.gov/co/st/en/
nca/mcnca.html. Copies of the Business Plan will be available at the 
Grand Junction Field Office and online at the MCNCA Web site.

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

Steven Hall,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-8615 Filed 4-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P