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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 90039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26468]

[[Page 90039]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[BLM_MT_FRN_MO4500180207]

New Recreation Fees on Public Lands in the Butte Field Office, 
Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of new recreation fees.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(FLREA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Butte Field Office (BFO) 
is establishing new recreation fees to support expanded amenities at 
eight developed recreation sites: the Carbella, Crow Creek, Dickie 
Bridge, East Bank, Maiden Rock, Galena Gulch, Lower Toston, and Upper 
Toston campgrounds. The BFO is also establishing a standard amenity fee 
(day-use) for the Big Hole River Corridor, to include the Dickie 
Bridge, Divide Bridge, East Bank, Maiden Rock, and Jerry Creek day-use 
sites.

DATES: The new fees will take effect on May 14, 2025.

ADDRESSES: The business plan and information concerning these new fees 
may be reviewed at the Butte Field Office, 106 N Parkmont, Butte MT 
59701; phone: (406) 533-7600; and online at: https://blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees/business-plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lindsey Babcock, Field Manager, 
telephone: (406) 533-7600, email: [email protected]. Individuals in the 
United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services for contacting the BLM. Individuals 
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within 
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in 
the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FLREA directs the Secretary to publish a 
6-month advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new recreation 
fee areas are established.
    Under section 6802(g)(2)(A) and (C) of FLREA, developed campgrounds 
and rental cabins qualify as sites wherein visitors can be charged an 
``Expanded Amenity Recreation Fee.''
    Pursuant to FLREA and implementing regulations at 43 CFR part 2930 
subpart 2933, fees may be charged for overnight camping, rental of 
cabins, and group use reservations where specific amenities and 
services are provided. Specific visitor fees will be identified and 
posted at each campground, day-use site, or rental cabin.
    Under section 6802(f)(4) of FLREA, all day-use sites in this notice 
qualify as areas wherein visitors can be charged a ``Standard Amenity 
Recreation Fee.'' Pursuant to FLREA and implementing regulations at 43 
CFR part 2930 subpart 2933, fees may be charged for an area where there 
are significant opportunities for outdoor recreation, that has 
substantial Federal investments, where fees can be efficiently 
collected, and that contains specific amenities and services. Specific 
visitor fees will be identified and posted at each day-use site.
    This notice informs the public that the BLM BFO is establishing new 
recreation fees at campgrounds and day-use site as follows:
    At the Carbella, Dickie Bridge, Maiden Rock, and East Bank 
campgrounds, an expanded amenity fee of $15 per campsite per night will 
be charged. An expanded amenity campground fee of $10 per campsite per 
night will be charged at the Crow Creek, Galena Gulch, Lower Toston, 
and Upper Toston campgrounds.
    The BFO also is establishing a standard amenity fee (day use) of $5 
per vehicle per day in the Big Hole River Corridor at the Dickie 
Bridge, Divide Bridge, East Bank, Maiden Rock and Jerry Creek day-use 
areas. In addition, the BFO is establishing a Big Hole day-use season 
pass fee of $20 for the Big Hole River day-use sites.
    Campground and day-use fee information will be posted at each 
recreation site, available at the BFO, and available online through BLM 
websites and/or www.recreation.gov.
    In response to increasing recreation demands and visitation on BLM 
lands, the BFO developed a recreation fee business plan. The business 
plan reviewed campgrounds and day-use sites where new Standard and 
Expanded Amenity Recreation Fees are needed to maintain visitor 
facilities and visitor services, replace aging infrastructure, and 
improve access to recreational opportunities. The business plan 
explains: (1) consistency with the BLM recreation fee program policy; 
(2) the BFO recreation management direction; (3) the need for fee 
collection; (4) how the fees will be used at the sites; (5) Resource 
Advisory Council coordination; and (6) guidance on future fee 
increases. As analyzed in the business plan, the recreation use fees 
are consistent with other nearby Federal land management agency fees 
and are lower than the fees charged at privately owned campgrounds. The 
business plan is available as listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    The BLM notified and involved the public at each stage of this 
process. A public comment period on the draft business plan, announced 
via seven Facebook posts, ran from September 22, 2023, to November 17, 
2023. Additionally, the BLM posted hard-copy notifications at each 
potentially affected recreation site, notified County Commissioners in 
Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Silver Bow, and Park 
counties as well as Congressional staff, and conducted in-person 
meetings/presentations upon request. The BFO also contacted local 
special recreation permit holders who might be affected by the new 
fees. The final business plan was recommended for approval by the 
Western Montana Resource Advisory Council on December 11, 2023.

(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6802 and 43 CFR part 2930 subpart 2933)

Sonya Germann,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-26468 Filed 11-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-20-P
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