[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9266-9267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03392]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLUTY01000-L12320000.EB0000]


Notice of Intent to Collect Fees on Public Land in Grand County, 
Utah

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 Moab Field Office of the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to begin collecting fees for 
overnight camping within six developed campgrounds.

DATES: Effective 6 months after the publication of this notice, the 
BLM-Utah Moab Field Office would initiate fee collection at the camping 
areas unless BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the contrary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Rockford Smith, Recreation Division 
Chief, Moab Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 82 East Dogwood, 
Moab, UT 84532, (435) 259-2100. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the 
above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a 
week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC), 
functioning as a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC), will 
review the proposal to charge fees at the sites mentioned below. Future 
adjustments in the fee amount will be made in accordance with the Moab 
Field Office's Business Plan for BLM Moab Campgrounds (Amended 2014) 
covering the sites. Future fee adjustments will only be made after 
consideration of comments received on a publicly reviewed business plan 
amendment and after consultation with the Utah Recreation Resource 
Advisory Committee and other appropriate advance public notice.
    The BLM is proposing to begin collecting fees for overnight camping 
within the following six developed campgrounds:

Salt Lake Meridian

Swasey's Rapid

T. 20 S., R. 16 E.,
    Sec. 3, lots 2 and 3.

Fish Ford

T. 22 S., R. 24 E.,
    Sec. 3, lot 2.

Cowskin

T. 23 S., R. 24 E.,
    Sec. 21, SE1/4SE1/4.

Bitter Creek

T. 19 S., R. 25 E.,
    Sec. 14, SE1/4NE1/4.

Westwater

T. 20S., R. 25 E.,
    Sec. 12, tract 37.

Hideout

T. 24 S., R. 25 E.,
    Sec. 29, SE1/4NW1/4.

    These proposed fee sites are located in Grand County, Utah. Under 
Section 6802(g)(2) of the REA, the campgrounds listed above qualify as 
a site wherein visitors can be charged an ``Expanded Amenity Recreation 
Fee.''
    Visitors wishing to use the expanded amenities the BLM has 
developed at Westwater, Bitter Creek, Fish Ford, Cowskin, Hideout and 
Swasey's Rapid campgrounds would purchase a Recreation Use Permit as 
described at 43 CFR Part 2930. Specific visitor fees will be identified 
and posted at the developed campgrounds. Fees must be paid at the self-
service pay station located at the developed campgrounds upon occupying 
the site. Dependent upon need, reservable group camp sites may be 
developed, and at that time advanced reservation may be made through 
the reservations office of the Moab Field Office. People holding the 
America The Beautiful--The National Parks and Federal Recreational 
Lands--Interagency Senior Pass, or an Interagency Access Pass would be 
entitled to a 50 percent discount on all expanded amenity fees except 
those associated with group reservations. Fees charged for use of the 
group sites would include a non-refundable site reservation fee and a 
per person use fee.
    The Westwater and Fish Ford developed campgrounds were constructed 
in the middle 1980s and have been in use for more than two decades. 
Over time, the use has increased and the BLM has added amenities for 
resource protection and visitor enjoyment. Westwater and Fish Ford are 
located within the Two Rivers Special Recreation Management Area 
(SRMA). Westwater campground offers a public water system, four 
toilets, two changing rooms, seven individual sites (with 15 more under 
construction), an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent 
spaces, and picnic tables. Fish Ford campground offers one toilet, ten 
individual sites, an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent 
spaces, and picnic tables.
    Bitter Creek campground is located along the Kokopelli's Trail 
within the Utah Rims SRMA and offers one toilet, 10 individual sites, 
an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and picnic 
tables.
    Cowskin campground is located within the Colorado Riverway SRMA and 
offers one toilet, 10 individual sites, an access road, regular 
patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and picnic tables.
    Hideout campground is located along the Kokopelli's Trail within 
the Extensive Recreation Management Area. It offers five individual 
sites, an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and 
picnic tables.
    Swasey's Rapid campground is located along the Green River just 
upstream of the boat ramp and parking area. It is located within the 
Lower Gray Canyon SRMA. It offers one toilet, 15 individual sites, an 
access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and picnic 
tables.
    The BLM is committed to provide, and receive 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. The BLM's policy is to collect fees at all 
specialized recreation sites, or where the BLM provides facilities, 
equipment or services at Federal expense, in connection with outdoor 
use as authorized by the REA. In an effort to meet increasing demands 
for services and maintenance of developed facilities, the BLM would 
implement a fee program for the campgrounds. The BLM's mission for the 
campgrounds is to ensure that funding is available to maintain 
facilities and recreational

[[Page 9267]]

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 
campgrounds, for example, recreationists, other recreation providers, 
partners, neighbors, and those who will have a stake in solving 
concerns that may arise throughout the life of the camping areas, 
including elected officials, and other agencies.
    Development, improvement, and fee collection at these six sites are 
consistent with the 2008 Moab Resource Management Plan and were 
analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement accompanying the plan 
(EIS UT-060-2007-04). Camping and group use fees would be consistent 
with other established fee sites in the area including other BLM-
administered sites in the area and those managed by the United States 
Forest Service, United States National Park Service, and Utah State 
Parks and Recreation. Future adjustments in the fee amount will be made 
following the Moab Field Office's recreation fee business plan covering 
the sites, in consultation with the Utah RRAC and other public notice 
prior to a fee adjustment.
    In December 2004, the REA was signed into law. The REA provides 
authority, for 10 years, for the Secretaries of the Interior and 
Agriculture to establish, modify, charge, and collect recreation fees 
for use of some Federal recreation lands and waters, and contains 
specific provisions addressing public involvement in the establishment 
of recreation fees, including a requirement that RRACs or Councils have 
the opportunity to make recommendations regarding establishment of such 
fees. REA also directed the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture 
to publish advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new 
recreation fee areas are established under their respective 
jurisdictions. In accordance with the BLM recreation fee program 
policy, the Moab Field Office's draft Amended Business Plan for the BLM 
Moab Campgrounds (2014) explains the proposal to collect fees at the 
six campgrounds, the fee collection process and how the fees will be 
used at the six sites. The BLM provided the public with an opportunity 
to comment on the draft Amended Business Plan from November 18 through 
December 20, 2013. BLM will notify and involve the public at each stage 
of the planning process, including the proposal to collect fees. The 
Utah RRAC will review the fee proposals at its next meeting, following 
REA guidelines. Fee amounts will be posted on-site, on the Moab BLM Web 
site and at the Moab Field Office. Copies of the business plan will be 
available at the Moab Field Office and the BLM Utah State Office.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 6803(b).

Jenna Whitlock,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-03392 Filed 2-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P