[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 229 (Thursday, November 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56843-56844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25836]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCOF02000 L12200000.AL0000-17X]


Notice of Intent To Collect Fees at the Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area 
in Park County, Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), the Bureau of Land Management's 
(BLM) Royal Gorge Field Office is proposing to begin collecting fees 
for a Standard Amenity Day-Use Site in the Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area, 
east of Guffey, within Park County, Colorado. In the 2015 Guffey Gorge 
Management Plan, the BLM designated Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area as a 
Special Area, where resources require intensive management and control 
measures for their protection, and a permit system to achieve 
management objectives.

DATES: Comments on the proposed fee changes must be received or 
postmarked by February 28, 2018 and include a legible full name and 
address. Applicable May 29, 2018, the BLM will initiate fee collection 
at the Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area, unless the BLM publishes a Federal 
Register notice to the contrary. Comments received after the close of 
the comment period or 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: Documents concerning this fee change may be reviewed at the 
Royal Gorge Field Office, 3028 E. Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212; 
phone: 719-269-8500; and online at: https://go.usa.gov/xnKWH.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Skinner, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, at the address above. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-
877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. 
The Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a 
message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply 
during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2013, the BLM began the public planning 
process for developing a management plan for the 80-acre Guffey Gorge 
parcel to manage the increasing impacts and conflicts related to high 
visitation numbers. This process included presentations and site tours 
with the Resource Advisory Council (RAC), the BLM Solicitor, the Park 
County Sheriff, and neighboring landowners. The BLM released the draft 
Business Plan and Guffey Gorge Management Plan Environmental Assessment 
(EA) for public comment in November 2014. The BLM considered all 
comments from the EA when preparing the final versions of these 
documents as well as the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and 
Decision Record. The BLM signed the FONSI and Decision Record on June 
29, 2015.
    The EA and Business Plan provide management direction for 
regulating recreational visitation, while minimizing impacts to other 
resources and providing a high quality experience. The Business Plan 
analyzed anticipated management costs and a variety of revenue 
structures to determine a fee that is comparable to fees charged by 
regional facilities that offer similar amenities.
    This Business Plan, prepared pursuant to the FLREA and BLM 
recreation fee program policy, addressed establishing user fees. It 
established the rationale for charging standard amenity fees, explained 
the fee collection process, and outlined how the fees would be used at 
the Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area.

[[Page 56844]]

    This special area qualifies as a site wherein visitors can be 
charged a fee in conjunction with a Recreation Use Permit (RUP or 
Permit), authorized under Section 803(h) of the FLREA, 16 U.S.C. 
6802(h). In accordance with the FLREA and implementing regulations at 
43 CFR 2930, visitors will obtain an RUP upon arrival at the site.
    Permits/day-use passes will be available at a cost of $6 per 
vehicle and will be valid from dawn to dusk. The day-use pass will be 
available for purchase during the summer season (May 15 to September 
30). As a standard amenity site within the National System of Public 
Lands, the fee will be waived on dates specified as fee-free days by 
the BLM. All applicable Federal Recreational Lands Passes will be 
accepted. All fees collected will be used to enhance visitor 
experiences, address environmental impacts and manage conflicting uses 
at Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area.
    The BLM has notified and involved the public at each stage of the 
planning process, including the proposal to collect fees. The BLM 
posted the Guffey Gorge Business Plan in May 2016, which outlined 
operational goals of the area and the purpose of the fee program. The 
Rocky Mountain (formerly Front Range) RAC considered the proposal at 
its August 19, 2016, meeting and recommended approval. Future 
adjustments in the fee amount will be made in accordance with the 
Business Plan and through consultation with the RAC and the public 
prior to a fee increase. FLREA fee revenue and how the revenue is spent 
will be posted annually on-site and online at: https://go.usa.gov/xnKWH. Copies of the Business Plan will be available at the Royal Gorge 
Field Office and online.
    Comments, including names, street addresses, and other contact 
information of commenters, will be available for public review at the 
BLM Royal Gorge Field Office (see ADDRESSES above). 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.

Gregory P. Shoop,
Acting BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-25836 Filed 11-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P