[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9266-9267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03392]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLUTY01000-L12320000.EB0000]
Notice of Intent to Collect Fees on Public Land in Grand County,
Utah
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 Moab Field Office of the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to begin collecting fees for
overnight camping within six developed campgrounds.
DATES: Effective 6 months after the publication of this notice, the
BLM-Utah Moab Field Office would initiate fee collection at the camping
areas unless BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the contrary.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Rockford Smith, Recreation Division
Chief, Moab Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 82 East Dogwood,
Moab, UT 84532, (435) 259-2100. Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the
above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC),
functioning as a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC), will
review the proposal to charge fees at the sites mentioned below. Future
adjustments in the fee amount will be made in accordance with the Moab
Field Office's Business Plan for BLM Moab Campgrounds (Amended 2014)
covering the sites. Future fee adjustments will only be made after
consideration of comments received on a publicly reviewed business plan
amendment and after consultation with the Utah Recreation Resource
Advisory Committee and other appropriate advance public notice.
The BLM is proposing to begin collecting fees for overnight camping
within the following six developed campgrounds:
Salt Lake Meridian
Swasey's Rapid
T. 20 S., R. 16 E.,
Sec. 3, lots 2 and 3.
Fish Ford
T. 22 S., R. 24 E.,
Sec. 3, lot 2.
Cowskin
T. 23 S., R. 24 E.,
Sec. 21, SE1/4SE1/4.
Bitter Creek
T. 19 S., R. 25 E.,
Sec. 14, SE1/4NE1/4.
Westwater
T. 20S., R. 25 E.,
Sec. 12, tract 37.
Hideout
T. 24 S., R. 25 E.,
Sec. 29, SE1/4NW1/4.
These proposed fee sites are located in Grand County, Utah. Under
Section 6802(g)(2) of the REA, the campgrounds listed above qualify as
a site wherein visitors can be charged an ``Expanded Amenity Recreation
Fee.''
Visitors wishing to use the expanded amenities the BLM has
developed at Westwater, Bitter Creek, Fish Ford, Cowskin, Hideout and
Swasey's Rapid campgrounds would purchase a Recreation Use Permit as
described at 43 CFR Part 2930. Specific visitor fees will be identified
and posted at the developed campgrounds. Fees must be paid at the self-
service pay station located at the developed campgrounds upon occupying
the site. Dependent upon need, reservable group camp sites may be
developed, and at that time advanced reservation may be made through
the reservations office of the Moab Field Office. People holding the
America The Beautiful--The National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands--Interagency Senior Pass, or an Interagency Access Pass would be
entitled to a 50 percent discount on all expanded amenity fees except
those associated with group reservations. Fees charged for use of the
group sites would include a non-refundable site reservation fee and a
per person use fee.
The Westwater and Fish Ford developed campgrounds were constructed
in the middle 1980s and have been in use for more than two decades.
Over time, the use has increased and the BLM has added amenities for
resource protection and visitor enjoyment. Westwater and Fish Ford are
located within the Two Rivers Special Recreation Management Area
(SRMA). Westwater campground offers a public water system, four
toilets, two changing rooms, seven individual sites (with 15 more under
construction), an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent
spaces, and picnic tables. Fish Ford campground offers one toilet, ten
individual sites, an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent
spaces, and picnic tables.
Bitter Creek campground is located along the Kokopelli's Trail
within the Utah Rims SRMA and offers one toilet, 10 individual sites,
an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and picnic
tables.
Cowskin campground is located within the Colorado Riverway SRMA and
offers one toilet, 10 individual sites, an access road, regular
patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and picnic tables.
Hideout campground is located along the Kokopelli's Trail within
the Extensive Recreation Management Area. It offers five individual
sites, an access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and
picnic tables.
Swasey's Rapid campground is located along the Green River just
upstream of the boat ramp and parking area. It is located within the
Lower Gray Canyon SRMA. It offers one toilet, 15 individual sites, an
access road, regular patrols, fire rings, tent spaces, and picnic
tables.
The BLM is committed to provide, and receive 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 all
specialized recreation sites, or where the BLM provides facilities,
equipment or services at Federal expense, in connection with outdoor
use as authorized by the REA. In an effort to meet increasing demands
for services and maintenance of developed facilities, the BLM would
implement a fee program for the campgrounds. The BLM's mission for the
campgrounds is to ensure that funding is available to maintain
facilities and recreational
[[Page 9267]]
opportunities, to provide for law enforcement presence, to develop
additional services, and to protect resources. This mission entails
communication with those who will be most directly affected by the
campgrounds, for example, recreationists, other recreation providers,
partners, neighbors, and those who will have a stake in solving
concerns that may arise throughout the life of the camping areas,
including elected officials, and other agencies.
Development, improvement, and fee collection at these six sites are
consistent with the 2008 Moab Resource Management Plan and were
analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement accompanying the plan
(EIS UT-060-2007-04). Camping and group use fees would be consistent
with other established fee sites in the area including other BLM-
administered sites in the area and those managed by the United States
Forest Service, United States National Park Service, and Utah State
Parks and Recreation. Future adjustments in the fee amount will be made
following the Moab Field Office's recreation fee business plan covering
the sites, in consultation with the Utah RRAC and other public notice
prior to a fee adjustment.
In December 2004, the REA was signed into law. The REA provides
authority, for 10 years, for the Secretaries of the Interior and
Agriculture to establish, modify, charge, and collect recreation fees
for use of some Federal recreation lands and waters, and contains
specific provisions addressing public involvement in the establishment
of recreation fees, including a requirement that RRACs or Councils have
the opportunity to make recommendations regarding establishment of such
fees. REA also directed the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture
to publish advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new
recreation fee areas are established under their respective
jurisdictions. In accordance with the BLM recreation fee program
policy, the Moab Field Office's draft Amended Business Plan for the BLM
Moab Campgrounds (2014) explains the proposal to collect fees at the
six campgrounds, the fee collection process and how the fees will be
used at the six sites. The BLM provided the public with an opportunity
to comment on the draft Amended Business Plan from November 18 through
December 20, 2013. BLM will notify and involve the public at each stage
of the planning process, including the proposal to collect fees. The
Utah RRAC will review the fee proposals at its next meeting, following
REA guidelines. Fee amounts will be posted on-site, on the Moab BLM Web
site and at the Moab Field Office. Copies of the business plan will be
available at the Moab Field Office and the BLM Utah State Office.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b).
Jenna Whitlock,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-03392 Filed 2-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P