[Federal Register: July 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 134)]
[Notices]
[Page 38614-38615]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy07-98]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management, Interior
[ID-410-1232-FU-ID27]
Notice of Intent to Collect Fees on Public Land in Kootenai
County, ID Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), 16 U.S.C. 6801, et seq., the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM)'s Coeur d'Alene Field Office is proposing to
begin collecting fees in 2008 at the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch
site on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho. The site is located
within section 1 of Township 49 North, Range 3 West.
DATES: The public comment period will expire on August 13, 2007. The
public is encouraged to participate in the public comment period.
Effective six months after the publication of this notice, the BLM
Coeur d'Alene Field Office will initiate fee collection at the Mineral
Ridge Public Boat Launch site. The Coeur d'Alene District Resource
Advisory Council (RAC) was presented this proposal on December 6, 2006
and supports initiation of fees at this site. Fees will be established
by separate supplemental rules pursuant to 43 CFR 8365.1-6. Future
adjustments in the fee amount will be modified in accordance with the
Coeur d'Alene Field Office Recreation Fee Business Plan, consultation
with the Coeur d'Alene District RAC and other public notice prior to a
fee increase.
ADDRESSES: Mail: Field Manager, Coeur d'Alene Field Office, 3815
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Thomson, Field Manager, or Brian
White, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Coeur d'Alene Field Office, 3815
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815. (208) 769-5030 or (208) 769-
5031.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coeur d'Alene Field Office is proposing
a fee structure of $4.00 per vehicle for parking and/or boat launching
at the Mineral Ridge Boat Launch site which is commensurate with other
public facilities on Lake Coeur d'Alene. An annual pass would be
available for $30.00 that would additionally be accepted at the BLM's
Blackwell Island Public Boat Launch which is also located on Lake Coeur
d'Alene. Development of this site is consistent with the Emerald Empire
Management Framework Plan (1981) and was analyzed in the Coeur d'Alene
Lake Recreation Area Management Plan Environmental Assessment of May,
1993.
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 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 developed facilities, the BLM would implement a fee
program for the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch. The BLM's mission for
the site 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 by this project, including recreationists, other
recreation providers, partners, neighbors, elected officials, other
agencies and others who have a stake in addressing concerns that may
arise from the BLM management of the site.
Under section 3(g) of the REA, the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch
on Lake Coeur d'Alene qualifies as a site wherein visitors can be
charged an ``Expanded Amenity Recreation Fee.'' Visitors wishing to use
the amenities at the site could purchase a recreation use permit (RUP)
as described in 43 CFR Part 2930. Pursuant to the REA and implementing
regulations at 43 CFR Subpart 2933, fees may be charged for day-use
facilities such as the Mineral Ridge Public Boat Launch. Specific
visitor fees and payment instructions will be clearly posted on site.
Persons holding the America the Beautiful--The National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands--Senior Pass (i.e. Interagency Senior Pass),
a Golden Age Passport, or the America the Beautiful--The National Parks
and Federal Recreational Lands--Access Pass (i.e. Interagency Access
Pass) or a Golden Access Passport will be entitled to a 50 percent
[[Page 38615]]
discount on the daily use fee or $30.00 annual pass.
The Mineral Ridge Boat Launch includes a paved parking area, boat
launch and mooring facilities, permanent toilet and trash receptacles,
and interpretive signs. This site would join three other BLM sites on
the lake that already charge comparable fees.
The Fee Collection Business Plan prepared for the Mineral Ridge
Public Boat Launch site provides for fee collection in considering: (1)
The amount of the recreation fee shall be commensurate with the
benefits and services provided to the visitor; (2) the aggregate effect
of recreation fees on recreation users and recreation service
providers; (3) comparable fees charged elsewhere by other public
agencies and by nearby private sector operators; (4) public policy or
management objectives served by the recreation fee; (5) suggestions and
other guidance from the Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory
Council (RAC); and (6) other factors or criteria as determined by the
Secretary.
The Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory Council (RAC);
government officials; tribal, federal, state, county, and local
government agencies; conservationists, recreationists, adjacent
landowners and right-of-way holders have been or will be notified of
the proposal to collect fees through direct mailings, bulletins, fee
brochures, public meetings, and on-site public contacts.
The REA provides authority for 10 years for the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of 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 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 Recreation Fee Business Plan for the site explains the fee
collection process and outlines how the fees will be used on-site. The
BLM has notified and involved the public at each stage of the planning
process, including the proposal to collect fees. The Coeur d'Alene
District RAC has reviewed the fee proposal and supports the concept.
Fee amounts will be posted on-site, and at the Coeur d'Alene Field
Office. Copies of the Business Plan are available for public review.
The BLM welcomes public comments on this proposal. Please send any
comments you have to the address specified in the ADDRESSES section.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your comment, you are 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).
Marc Shumaker,
Acting Coeur d'Alene Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E7-13692 Filed 7-12-07; 8:45 am]