[Federal Register: July 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 138)]
[Notices]
[Page 39637-39638]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19jy07-63]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[MT010-1220-FU]
Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in Yellowstone
County, Montana Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s Billings Field Office is
proposing to begin collecting fees in 2007 at the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV
Area in Yellowstone County, Montana, located in Township 3 N, Range 27
E, Section 1 and Township 3 N, Range 28 E, Section 6.
Under Section 2 (13) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
Act (REA), L. 108-447, the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area qualifies as a site
wherein visitors can be charged a ``Special Recreation Permit Fee''
authorized under section 3(h).
In accordance with REA, and implementing regulations at 43 CFR Part
2930, visitors participating in OHV use (e.g. ATVs, motorcycles,
quads), could purchase a Special Recreation Permit (SRP) to operate
their vehicle within the riding area.
Each OHV operating within the recreation area would be required to
purchase and display the permit. Permits would expire on December 31 of
the issue year, regardless of when the permit was purchased.
Opportunity to purchase an individual SRP pass for the day would be
available onsite to facilitate less frequent users. BLM provides
individual special recreation permits for management of special areas
as defined in 43 CFR Part 2932.11. 1-2., and in REA under section 3(h).
The America The Beautiful--The National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass, including the Annual, Senior, Access, and Volunteer passes
would not be honored and do not apply to the SRP fee. The National Park
Passports, Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports would
also not be honored and do not apply to the SRP fee.
DATES: The public is encouraged to participate in the public comment
period that will expire 30 days after the publication of this notice.
Effective six months after the publication of this notice, the Bureau
of Land Management Billings Field Office will initiate fee collection
in the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area, unless BLM publishes a Federal
Register notice to the contrary. The Eastern Montana Resource Advisory
Council (RAC) will review consideration for the new fee at least three
months prior to the proposed initiation date. Fees will be established
by separate supplemental rules pursuant to 43 CFR 8365.1-6. Future
adjustments in the fee amount will be made in accordance with the BLM
Shepherd Ah Nei Business Plan, and after consultation with the Eastern
Montana Resource Advisory Council and other public notice.
ADDRESSES: Mail: Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Billings
Field Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James M. Sparks, Acting Field Manager,
Billings Field Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area is a popular
OHV recreation area offering significant opportunities for outdoor
recreation and has received substantial Federal investment. The BLM's
commitment is to find the proper balance between public use and
resource protection. It is the BLM's policy 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. In an effort to meet increasing demands for services and
maintenance of existing facilities, routes and trails, the BLM would
implement a fee program for the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area. BLM's mission
for the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Fee Collection Project (Project) is to
ensure that funding is available to maintain existing facilities and
recreational 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,
for example, recreationists, other recreation providers, neighbors, as
well as those who will have a stake in solving concerns that may arise
throughout the life of the Project, including elected officials, and
other agencies.
In January 1999, the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) initiated
the Off-Highway Vehicle Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed
Plan Amendment for Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota (OHV EIS).
This EIS considered various ways to minimize the potential for resource
damage from cross-country OHV use. The BLM signed a record of decision
(ROD) for this EIS and Plan Amendment in June 2003. 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 Recreation Resource Advisory Committees or
Councils have the opportunity to make recommendations regarding
establishment of such fees. The REA also directs the Secretaries of the
Interior and Agriculture to publish advance notice in the Federal
Register
[[Page 39638]]
whenever new recreation fee areas are established under their
respective jurisdictions.
In May 2005, the BLM issued the Decision for the Shepherd AH Nei
OHV Travel Management Plan, which established roads, trails and areas
as open, closed, or limited with respect to vehicular use in the
Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area. This 2005 decision allows for recreation
opportunities, issuing of use permits, and charging of fees for use of
the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area. The establishment of a permit process,
and the collection of user fees were also addressed in the Shepherd Ah
Nei OHV Business Plan, prepared pursuant to the REA and BLM recreation
fee program policy. This Business Plan, in conjunction with the Travel
Management Plan, establishes the rationale for charging recreation
fees. In accordance with BLM recreation fee program policy, the
Business Plan explains the fee collection process, and outlines how the
fees will be used at the Shepherd Ah Nei OHV Area. The BLM has notified
and involved the public at each stage of the planning process,
including the proposal to collect fees. Fee amounts will be posted on-
site and at the Billings Field Office; copies of the Business Plan will
be available at the Billings Field Office and the BLM Montana State
Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101.
The BLM welcomes public comments on this proposal. Before including
your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, be advised 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 from public review your personal identifying information, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b); 43 CFR 2932.13.
James M. Sparks,
Acting Field Manager, Billings Field Office.
[FR Doc. E7-13995 Filed 7-18-07; 8:45 am]