[Federal Register: July 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 145)] [Notices] [Page 41133] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29jy99-89] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WO-250-24-1A] Use Authorizations; Special Recreation Permits, Other Than on Developed Recreation Sites; Proposed Adjustment in Fees AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Public notice-specific fee adjustment for competitive and organized group activities or events, special recreation permits. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby gives notice it is adjusting certain special recreation permit fees for various recreation activities on BLM administered Public Lands and related waters. BLM is adjusting the minimum fee for competitive and organized group activities or events. Effective October 1, 1999, fee adjustments will be made automatically every 3 years using 1984 as the base year. These fees will be calculated and adjusted based on the change in the Implicit Price Deflator Index (IPDI). The fees will be rounded up to the nearest $1.00. This notice establishes the special recreation permit minimum fee for both competitive and organized group activities or events at $4.00 per person per day. Notice of the fee increase in the future will be announced in conjunction with the BLM and Forest Service minimum annual commercial fee and per site reservation fee. The next adjustment is scheduled for March 1, 2002. The intended effect is to ensure fees cover administrative costs of permit issuance, a fair return to the U.S. government for use of the public lands, and approach free market value in certain cases. The IPDI is published every February as a part of the ``Economic Report of the President'' to Congress. The IPDI is also cited monthly in the ``Survey of Current Business,'' a periodical available in most regional, university, and local government depository libraries. EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1999. ADDRESSES: Inquires or suggestions should be directed to--Director (100), Room 5660, Main Interior Building, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee V. Larson, National Recreation Group, (202) 452-5168. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1984 (49 FR 5300 and 49 FR 34332), the Bureau of Land Management announced its final regulations and policy concerning special recreation permits for individuals or organizations conducting commercial, competitive, and other uses. BLM established the minimum fee for competitive events at $2.00 per user day or 3% of gross receipts, whichever is greater, and group activities or events, other uses, at $1.50 per user day. These flat fees have not changed since the 1984 Federal Register. The above Federal Register notices and 43 CFR 8372.4(a)(1) states ``Fees for Special Recreation Permits shall be established and maintained by the Director, Bureau of Land Management, and may be adjusted from time to time to reflect changes in costs. The fee schedule shall be incorporated in the Manual of the Bureau of Land Management, published periodically in the Federal Register and otherwise made generally available to the public.'' Since 1984, inflation has devalued these fixed fee amounts. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the minimum competitive and organized group activities and event fees and provide a mechanism for the fees to be self-adjusting based on inflation. Tom Fry, Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 99-19457 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-84-M