[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41200-41201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17005]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management, Interior

[LLWYP06000-L12200000-FV0000]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees and Modify Existing Fees on 
Public Lands in Natrona County, WY

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) 
Casper Field Office is proposing to establish fees for use of the 
Trapper's Route Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) and intends 
to modify the existing fee structure for the Muddy Mountain 
Environmental Education Area (EEA).

DATES: Comments on the proposed fee changes must be received or 
postmarked by October 10, 2012, to be assured consideration. Effective 
6 months after publication of this notice, the BLM Casper Field Office 
will initiate fee collection at campgrounds within the Trapper's Route 
SRMA and change the existing fee structure within the Muddy Mountain 
EEA, unless the BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the 
contrary. Comments received after the close of the comment period or 
comments delivered to an address other than the one listed in this 
notice may not be considered or included in the administrative record 
for the proposed fee.

ADDRESSES: The pertinent Recreation Business Management Plan is 
available at the BLM Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, 
Casper, Wyoming 82601, and online at: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Casper.html. Comments can be mailed, hand-delivered, or 
faxed to the BLM, Attn: Outdoor Recreation Planner, Casper Field 
Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, Wyoming 82601; fax: 307-261-
7587. You may also email your comment to [email protected] with 
``Recreation Fee Collection'' in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eve Bennett, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, at the above address, or by calling 307-261-7600. 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:

Public Comment Procedures

    The BLM welcomes public comments on this Notice, and on the new and 
modified fees. Before including your address, telephone 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 may 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.
    You may mail or hand-deliver comments as indicated in the ADDRESSES 
and DATES sections, above. The BLM will not necessarily consider or 
include in the administrative record comments received after the close 
of the comment period (see DATES) unless they are postmarked or 
electronically dated before the deadline, or comments

[[Page 41201]]

delivered to an address other than one of those listed above (See 
ADDRESSES).

Discussion of Fees

    The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), 16 U.S.C. 6801-
6814, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish, modify, 
charge, and collect recreation fees at specified categories of Federal 
recreation lands and waters. The REA also contains specific provisions 
addressing public involvement when establishing recreation fees. The 
authority of the Secretary to carry out these provisions expires 10 
years after December 8, 2004. 16 U.S.C. 6809.
    The public-involvement provisions of the REA include a requirement 
that Recreation Resource Advisory Committees or councils be given 
opportunities to make recommendations regarding the establishment of 
recreation fees. In Wyoming, a Recreation Action Team serves this 
advisory function.
    In accordance with BLM policy, the Casper Field Office has prepared 
a Recreation Business Management Plan that explains the fee collection 
process associated with Trapper's Route SRMA, Muddy Mountain EEA, and 
special recreation permits. The business plan also outlines how the 
fees will be used.
    The BLM has notified and involved the public at each stage of the 
planning process. The BLM held a public meeting on July 30, 2009, in 
conjunction with the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center's 
presentation of its business plan. The BLM also presented its plan to 
the Wyoming Recreation Action Team on February 23, 2010.
    Each campground that will be subject to the fees announced in this 
Notice qualifies as a site where visitors can be charged an ``expanded 
amenity recreation fee'' in accordance with REA criteria at 43 U.S.C. 
6802(g)(2). The Muddy Mountain EEA is a popular recreation area for 
both day-use and overnight visits. The EEA is located approximately 20 
miles south of Casper and has two existing campgrounds. The proposed 
changes to the existing fee structure include eliminating the day-use 
fee and increasing the fees for overnight stays and extra vehicles. 
Camping fees will be increased from $5 to $7 for each overnight stay, 
and the fee for extra vehicles will be increased from $2 to $3.
    The Trapper's Route SRMA is located along the North Platte River 
between Casper and Alcova, Wyoming, beginning approximately 40 miles 
southwest of Casper, Wyoming, immediately downstream from Grey Reef 
Dam. The SRMA spans 41 miles and encompasses more than 3,000 acres of 
BLM-administered public lands. In 2007, the Casper Field Office 
completed a recreation area management plan (RAMP) for the SRMA in 
order to address the negative environmental impacts caused by 
substantial increases in visitor use on public lands along the North 
Platte River. Additional infrastructure and reclamation projects have 
been designed to mitigate these impacts and to sustain the high quality 
values. New fees for use of the SRMA will be used to supplement the 
appropriated annual maintenance budget and diversify funding for 
wildlife habitat and improvement projects. Upon the completion of the 
recreation improvement projects, there will be eight developed sites 
comprised of four day-use areas and four overnight campgrounds. The BLM 
has not charged fees at any developed sites in the SRMA in the past. 
The expanded amenity fees being established for Trapper's Route SRMA 
include a $10 fee for overnight camping and $5 fee for each additional 
vehicle. A day-use fee will not be charged.
    Fee amounts will be posted on-site and at the Casper Field Office, 
where copies of the business plan will also be available. Information 
concerning the proposed new fees will be available on the BLM Web site, 
through press releases to local media, and through word of mouth by BLM 
employees and local users. These efforts will continue following 
publication of this notice.
    The existing fee structure was analyzed in Environmental Assessment 
WY 062-EA-99-114 (EA) for the Muddy Mountain EEA. In 2007, the BLM 
prepared an EA (WY 060-02-16) for the Trapper's Route SRMA, which 
included development of recreational infrastructure and proposed to 
enact a fee program for the area.

    Authority:  Notice of establishment of the fee area is provided 
pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 6803(b).

Buddy W. Green,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-17005 Filed 7-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P