[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79357-79358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32039]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAC07000 L12200000.FV0000.16XL1109AF]


Notice of Intent to Change Fees in Campgrounds on Public Land in 
the Bishop Field Office, Inyo and Mono Counties, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Recreation 
Enhancement Act (REA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field 
Office proposes to change the fee structure at all five of its 
developed campgrounds in Inyo and Mono counties, California, and by 
this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. The fee 
proposal results from analysis and planning direction provided by the 
Bishop Campground Business Plan, which outlines operational goals of 
the area and the purpose of the fee program.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on its proposal to change the fee structure at 
campgrounds in the Bishop Field Office by January 20, 2016. Effective 4 
months after publication of this notice, the BLM Bishop Field Office 
would initiate changes in fee collection at its five developed 
campgrounds 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] Please include 
``Fee Proposal'' in the subject line of your email.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Field Office, 
Attn: Rebecca Brooke, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514
    Copies of the fee proposal are available at the Bishop Field Office 
at the above address and online at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Nelson, Field Manager, 
telephone: (760) 872-5011 or at the address above. Persons who use a 
telecommunication 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 Federal Lands and Recreation 
Enhancement Act (REA) (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.), the Secretary may 
establish, modify, charge, and collect recreation fees on Federal 
recreation lands and waters. The Bishop Field Office currently manages 
five developed campgrounds: Tuttle Creek, Goodale Creek, Horton Creek, 
Pleasant Valley Pit, and Crowley Lake campgrounds. Together these 
campgrounds hold approximately 300 tent and recreational vehicle sites, 
all located in world-class settings along the Highway 395 corridor in 
close proximity to recreation destinations. The campgrounds are a good 
alternative to dispersed camping, which has been known to occur in 
environmentally sensitive areas.
    Fees for the campgrounds were established in 2005 and have not 
changed since then. Long-term camping permits are currently available 
for four of the five campgrounds for either 30 days or the entire 
summer season (approximately 8 months). Tuttle Creek, Goodale Creek, 
Horton Creek, and Crowley Lake campgrounds underwent significant 
upgrades from 2010 to 2012, including installation of new toilets, fire 
rings, picnic tables, information boards, and other amenities. In 
addition, potable water was installed at three campgrounds and a horse 
corral and group campsite at one campground. The total cost of upgrades 
was $3.6 million.
    The current and proposed fee schedule for the BLM Bishop Field 
Office campgrounds is:

                         Current and Proposed Daily Campground and Special Amenity Fees
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                                                                 Proposed fee beginning
              Campground                       Current                  in 2016            Proposed future fee
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Tuttle Creek.........................  $5.....................  $8.....................  $5 to $10
Goodale Creek........................  $5.....................  $5 (no potable water)..  $5 to $10
Horton Creek.........................  $5.....................  $8.....................  $5 to $10
Pleasant Valley Pit..................  $2/car.................  $5/site (no potable      $5 to $10
                                                                 water).

[[Page 79358]]

 
Crowley Lake.........................  $5.....................  $8.....................  $5 to $10
Tuttle Creek Group Site..............  $30....................  $30....................  $30 to $50
Tuttle Creek Horse Corral............  $5.....................  $10....................  $5 to $12
Dump Stations (Tuttle, Horton and      $5.....................  $5.....................  $5 to $8
 Crowley).
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    The goal of the proposed fee structure is to retain visitors in BLM 
campgrounds while providing a small amount of additional revenue for 
campground maintenance and improvements. By allowing the Field Manager 
discretion to set future fees within a range, there is flexibility as 
visitor use patterns and campground operating costs change over time.
    The current and proposed fee structure for long-term camping 
permits are:

         Current and Proposed Long Term Permit Duration and Fee
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       Permit duration               Current              Proposed
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30-Day Permit...............  Currently available   Proposed
                               for Tuttle, Horton,   availability for
                               Goodale, and          Tuttle, Goodale,
                               Crowley.              Horton, Pleasant
                              $100 ($3.22/day)....   Valley Pit, and
                                                     Crowley.
                                                    $120 ($4/day).
90-Day Permit...............  Currently available   Proposed
                               for Tuttle, Horton,   availability for
                               Goodale, and          Tuttle, Horton,
                               Crowley.              Goodale and
                              $300 for 8 months...   Crowley.
                              ($1.25/day).........  $300 for 90
                                                     consecutive days.
                                                    ($3.33/day).
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    The objective of the proposed changes to long-term camping permits 
is to limit costs associated with long-term occupancy of campsites, 
thereby reducing the overall campground operation costs.
    The BLM Bishop Field Office has outlined the rationale for this fee 
proposal in the Bishop Campground Business Plan. In order to inform the 
public, the Bishop Field Office conducted three open house events in 
July 2013. The Business Plan includes information on visitation to and 
operational expenses associated with the five campgrounds along with a 
market analysis of local campsites. The plan is available on line at: 
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html.
    This and future adjustments in the fees charged at these five 
campgrounds would be made in accordance with the plan and with 
notification and input from the Central California Resource Advisory 
Committee and the public. Fee amounts will be posted onsite and online 
at the Bishop Field Office Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html.
    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.

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

Danielle Chi,
Acting Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-32039 Filed 12-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P