[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22281-22282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08757]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMTB05000 L12320000.FV0000 LVDRMT050000.XXXL5413AR]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees at the Henneberry House on 
Public Land in Beaverhead County, Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(REA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dillon Field Office is 
proposing to charge an expanded amenity recreation fee for recreational 
rental of the Henneberry House (or Ney House), a historic cabin along 
the Beaverhead River, approximately 15 miles south of Dillon, Montana.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive

[[Page 22282]]

written comments on the proposed cabin rental fees by May 15, 2013. Six 
months after the publication of this notice, the BLM Dillon Field 
Office will begin charging an expanded amenity fee for the recreational 
rental of Henneberry House. The Western Montana Resource Advisory 
Council will review consideration of the new fees prior to the proposed 
initiation date.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or hand delivered to the BLM Dillon 
Field Office, Attn: Field Manager, 1005 Selway Drive, Dillon, MT 59725, 
or emailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Waldrup, BLM Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, at the above address, or by calling 406-683-8000. 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: Pursuant to the REA (16 U.S.C. 6801 et 
seq.), the Secretary may establish, modify, charge and collect 
recreation fees at Federal recreation lands and waters. Specifically, 
pursuant to Section 6802 (g)(2)(C) of the REA, the Secretary may charge 
an expanded amenity recreation fee, either in addition to a standard 
amenity fee, or by itself, for the rental of cabins or historic 
structures. Therefore, by this Notice, the BLM Dillon Field Office is 
proposing to collect an expanded amenity fee for the rental of the 
Henneberry House cabin and historic site. Proposed cabin rental fees 
would be identified and posted on the Dillon Field Office Web site, at 
the Dillon Field Office, and distributed in the local media. Fees would 
be collected as outlined in the field office's Fee Business Plan. The 
Henneberry House is the historic house associated with the Henneberry 
Homestead built in 1905. The William F. Henneberry homestead is one of 
the best preserved examples of early homesteading activities that 
remain on public lands in Beaverhead County. The buildings and the 
landscape have not been greatly modified or changed since 1883 when 
William F. Henneberry settled on the property. The Henneberry homestead 
reflects the agricultural patterns of ranching that still characterize 
the county and the settlement patterns that helped establish Beaverhead 
County.
    The 1905 house represents the distinct characteristics of log 
structure construction in the late 1800s early 1900s. The building 
displays excellent workmanship, with detailed full dovetail notching, 
and, given its age, is in remarkably good condition. This historic 
property was in a state of disrepair and would likely have been lost 
without restoration efforts to protect the property. Funding under the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enabled the BLM to prevent the 
loss of this property to the elements. The Henneberry House is in the 
immediate vicinity of several popular recreational activities that are 
available on the surrounding public lands, including fishing on the 
Beaverhead River, waterfowl hunting on the river and adjacent man-made 
duck ponds and hunting both in the river corridor and surrounding 
uplands. The BLM is committed to providing and receiving fair value for 
the use of developed recreation facilities and services in a manner 
that meets public-use demands, provides quality experiences, and 
protects important resources. In an effort to meet increasing demands 
for services and maintenance of this existing historic structure, the 
BLM would collect fees to offset those ongoing costs.
    The BLM's mission for the Dillon Field Office Fee Business Plan 
(Project) is to ensure that funding is available to maintain existing 
facilities and recreational opportunities, to provide for law 
enforcement presence, to develop additional services, and to protect 
resources. This mission entails communication with those who will be 
most directly affected by the Project, for example recreationists, 
other recreation providers, neighbors, as well as those who will have a 
stake in solving concerns that may arise throughout the life of the 
Project, including elected officials and other agencies. In February 
2006, the BLM completed the Record of Decision (ROD) and Approved 
Dillon Resource Management Plan which emphasizes protection and 
restoration of the natural resources while still providing for resource 
use and enjoyment. This 2006 ROD provides for enhancing recreation 
opportunities and maintaining existing facilities to a standard 
consistent with the recreational setting. Collecting expanded amenity 
fees for Henneberry House rentals would provide a reliable source of 
funding to ensure the long-term maintenance of this facility for future 
recreational use. The collection of user fees was also addressed in the 
Dillon Field Office Recreation Fee Business Plan, prepared pursuant to 
the REA and BLM recreation fee program policy. This Business Plan 
establishes the rationale for charging recreation fees. In accordance 
with BLM recreation fee program policy, the Business Plan explains the 
fee collection process and outlines how the fees will be used within 
the Dillon Field Office. The BLM has notified and involved the public 
at each stage of the public participation process addressed by REA, 
including the proposal to collect fees, through the Western Montana 
Resource Advisory Council and other public scoping avenues.
    Fee amounts will be posted on the BLM Dillon Field Office Web site 
and at the Dillon Field Office. Copies of the Fee Business Plan are 
available at the Dillon Field Office and the BLM Montana State Office.
    The BLM welcomes public comments on this Notice and on the proposed 
expanded amenity recreation fee at the Henneberry House.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address or other 
personal identifying information in your comment, be advised 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.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b); 43 CFR 2932.31.

Cornelia H. Hudson,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2013-08757 Filed 4-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P