[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 32261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14910]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of New Fee Sites; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act

AGENCY: Bitterroot National Forest, Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of new fee sites.

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SUMMARY: The Bitterroot National Forest is proposing to implement new 
fees at two campgrounds and one rental cabin. These fees are only 
proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public 
comment.

DATES: Send any comments about these fee proposals by August 13, 2018 
so comments can be compiled, analyzed, and shared with the Western 
Montana Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Committee. The 
effective date of implementation of proposed new fees will be no 
earlier than six months after publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Julie King, Forest Supervisor, Bitterroot National Forest, 
1801 N First, Hamilton, MT 59840 or Email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Strayer, Recreation Program 
Manager, Darby Ranger District, at 406-821-4252 or [email protected]. 
Information about proposed fee changes can also be found at 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r1recfee.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VII, Pub. L. 108-447) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to 
publish a six month advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new 
recreation fee areas are established. These new fees will be reviewed 
by the Western Montana Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory 
Committee prior to a final decision and implementation.
    The Forest proposes a $50/night fee for Lost Horse Guard Station, 
which would open this site for public rental. The Forest also proposes 
a $10/night fee for both Slate Creek and Sam Billings Memorial 
campgrounds. Lost Horse Guard Station was built in 1935 and listed on 
the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It lies at the head 
of Lost Horse Creek, near the Montana/Idaho divide. It is near a 
variety of recreation opportunities such as hiking, camping, horseback 
riding, non-motorized water sports, hunting, backcountry skiing, and 
snowmobiling at Twin Lakes. The rustic guard station can sleep up to 
eight people.
    Slate Creek Campground also has a new group gathering area and Sam 
Billings Memorial Campground has new horse camping sites. Reasonable 
fees, paid by users of these sites and services, will help ensure that 
the Forest can continue maintaining and improving the sites for future 
generations.
    A business analysis of the proposed new fee sites listed has shown 
that people desire having a variety of recreation opportunities and 
experiences on the Bitterroot National Forest, such as group camping, 
cabin and lookout rentals and single family camping. A market analysis 
of surrounding recreation sites with similar amenities indicates that 
the proposed fees are comparable and reasonable.
    Advance reservations for the Lost Horse Guard Station will be 
available through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The 
National Recreation Reservation Service charges a $10 fee for 
reservations.

    Dated: May 17, 2018.
Glenn Casamassa,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-14910 Filed 7-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P