[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4058-4059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1683]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCON03000 L12320000.AL0000]
Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in Mesa County,
CO Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
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 Bureau of Land Management's (BLM)
Grand Junction Field Office is proposing to begin collecting fees in
August of 2012 for overnight camping at the North Fruita Desert
Campground within the North Fruita Desert Special Recreation Management
Area (SRMA), North of Fruita, within Mesa County, Colorado. The North
Fruita Desert was designated as an SRMA by the BLM in the North Fruita
Desert Management Plan (August 2004).
DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the BLM's proposal to collect fees in the North
Fruita Desert Campground by February 27, 2012. Effective 6 months after
publication of this notice, the BLM's Grand Junction Field Office would
initiate fee collection in the North Fruita Desert Campground, 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: m1bailey@blm.gov.
Fax: (970) 244-3047.
Mail: Michelle Bailey, Assistant Field Manager, BLM, Grand
Junction Field Office, 2815 H. Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506.
Copies of the fee proposal are available in the Grand Junction
Field Office at the above address and online at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nca/mcnca/what_s_news_.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Bailey, Assistant Field
Office Manager, at the address above. Persons who use a
telecommunications 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: The North Fruita Desert SRMA offers
outstanding opportunities for world class mountain biking. The BLM's
overall goal is to maintain the area's recreation experiences, quality
social setting, and overnight camping while protecting natural
resources requires substantial Federal investment. The BLM is committed
to finding the proper balance between public use, reduction of user
conflicts, and the protection of resources. The campground qualifies as
a site wherein visitors can be charged a fee, authorized under Section
803(h) of REA, 16 U.S.C. 6802(h). In accordance with REA and
implementing regulations at 43 CFR part 2930, visitors would obtain an
individual Special Recreation Permit to camp within the North Fruita
Desert Campground. This fee would be required to be displayed at each
campsite. Permits would expire at the beginning of the subsequent
calendar day. The suggested fee per campsite, per night is $10.
The BLM's goal for the North Fruita Desert Campground fee program
is to ensure that funding is available to maintain the area in a
naturally-appearing condition consistent with the recreation setting
established by the North Fruita Desert Management Plan, to manage
visitor use to provide a quality recreation experience under existing
rules and regulations by providing for increased law enforcement
presence, to develop additional services such as expanding
interpretive/educational programming, and to protect resources. All
fees collected would be used for expenses within the campground.
The BLM published the North Fruita Desert Campground Business Plan
in August 2008 and updated it in November 2011, which outlines
operational goals of the area and the purpose of the fee program. This
Business Plan provides management direction for public enjoyment of
these public lands through the recreational experience of overnight
camping, while minimizing the potential for resource damage from
authorized uses. The Plan also provides a market analysis of local
recreation sites and sets the basis for the fee proposal. The plan is
available online at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html. The
North Fruita Desert Campground Business Plan addresses recreation
opportunities and fees for camping within the SRMA. This plan, prepared
pursuant to the REA and the BLM recreation fee program policy, also
addresses establishing a permit process and the collection of user
fees. This Business Plan establishes the rationale for charging
recreation fees. In accordance with the BLM recreation fee program
policy, the Business Plan explains the fee collection process and
outlines how the fees would be used at the special area. The BLM has
notified and involved the public at each stage of the planning process,
including the proposal to collect fees, through notifications on-site
and several public meetings to present and gather ideas concerning fees
within the special area. The Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory
Committee (NW RAC) reviewed and recommended the approval of this
proposal at its December 1, 2011, meeting. Future adjustments in the
fee amount would be made in accordance with the North Fruita Desert
Campground Business Plan and through consultation with the NW RAC and
the public prior to a fee increase. Fee amounts will be posted on-site
and online at the GJFO Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html. Copies of the Business Plan will be available at the Grand
Junction Field Office.
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.
[[Page 4059]]
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b) and 43 CFR 2932.13.
Steven Hall,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-1683 Filed 1-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P