[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 13738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03731]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500174053]


Notice of Intent To Establish Recreation Fee Areas and Collect 
Fees on Public Lands in Chaffee and Fremont Counties, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(FLREA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Royal Gorge Field Office 
intends to establish fee areas and to collect fees at Turtle Rock 
Campground, Burmac Camping Area, Shavano Camping Area, CR304 Camping 
Area, Browns Grotto Camping Area, Penrose Commons, Sand Gulch 
Campground, and The Bank Campground in Fremont and Chaffee counties, 
Colorado.

DATES: Comments on the proposed fee areas and fees must be received or 
postmarked by March 25, 2024 and must include the commenter's legible 
full name and address. Starting on August 23, 2024, the BLM will have 
the option to initiate fee collection at the sites listed in the 
SUMMARY section for overnight visitation 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 proposal.

ADDRESSES: Please email comments to [email protected] or send 
by mail to BLM Royal Gorge Field Office at 3028 E Main Street, Canon 
City, CO 81212, Attn: Kalem Lenard. Documents concerning this fee 
change may be reviewed at the Royal Gorge Field Office or online at 
https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees/business-plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kalem Lenard, Assistant Field Manager, 
phone (719) 269-8500, email: [email protected]. Individuals in 
the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United 
States should use the relay services offered within their country to 
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. The BLM's policy is to 
collect fees at specialized recreation sites or where the BLM provides 
facilities, equipment, or services at Federal expense, in connection 
with outdoor use. Pursuant to FLREA and the regulations at 43 CFR 
subpart 2933, the BLM may charge expanded amenity fees for overnight 
camping and group use, including reservation services, where specific 
amenities and services are provided.
    FLREA directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish a 6-month 
advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new recreation fee 
areas are established. In accordance with BLM policy, the Business Plan 
for Royal Gorge Field Office Campgrounds (available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees/business-plans) 
explains the fee collection process and how fees will be used at this 
site. Per FLREA guidelines, the Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory 
Council reviewed the proposal in November 2023 and voted unanimously to 
support the business plan and fee proposal. To meet increasing demand 
for services and maintenance and to address increased visitor use and 
costs of operation, the BLM proposes the following expanded amenity 
fees:
     $20 per night basic campsite fee and $40 per night group 
campsite fee at Turtle Rock Campground;
     $10 per night campsite fee for primitive campsites at 
Shavano, Burmac, Browns Grotto, County Road 304, and Penrose Commons 
camping areas; and
     $10 per night vehicle fee for overnight camping use in 
overflow camping areas with access to nearby campground facilities at 
Burmac, County Road 304, Penrose Commons, The Bank Campground, and Sand 
Gulch Campground.
    The Royal Gorge Field Office Campground Business Plan used a market 
analysis and management expense estimates to determine the expanded 
amenity fees at these recreation sites. The BLM's public outreach 
process and analysis of the fee program are detailed in the Business 
Plan. These expanded amenity camping fees are consistent with other 
established fee sites in the region.

(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6804(e))

Douglas J. Vilsack,
Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-03731 Filed 2-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P