[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 208 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61108-61109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5337]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites; Federal Lands Recreation 
Enhancement Act (Title VIII, Public Law 108-447)

AGENCY: Boise National Forest, USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of proposed new fee sites.

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SUMMARY: The Boise National Forest is planning to charge fees at 22 
recreation sites. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and 
services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market 
assessment, and public comment. The fees listed are currently proposed 
and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds 
from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of 
these recreation sites.
    Swanholm and Rice Peak Lookouts, along with cabins at the Landmark 
Ranger Station and Johnson Creek Guard Station will be available for 
overnight rental. A fee study, financial analysis, and public 
involvement efforts were completed. As a result, cabin rental fees 
would range between $30 and $50 per night. Lookout, ranger, and guard 
station rentals offer a unique experience and are a widely popular 
offering on National Forests. The Landmark Ranger Station is eligible 
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is being 
restored to its original purpose as a working Forest Service 
administrative site, and to adapt the compound for public use and 
enjoyment. Fees would continue to help protect and maintain all these 
administrative structures and their historic integrity. The cabin 
rentals would be available once a final decision is made and they are 
listed with the National Recreation Reservation Service which would be 
in May of 2008 at the earliest.
    New $5 day use fees are also proposed for the Arrowrock and 
Campbell Creek boating access sites and the Granite Creek picnic site. 
These fees will help address the deferred maintenance needs, such as 
substandard boat docks at both of the boating sites as well as general 
operation and maintenance needs at all three sites. The Granite Creek 
picnic site also serves as a trailhead for an important interpretive 
trail in the summer and groomed snowmobile trail access in the winter. 
Amenities include covered picnic shelters, a toilet, and interpretive 
exhibits.
    Fees are proposed at 15 campgrounds including Badger Creek, Castle 
Creek, Cottonwood, Evans Creek, Little Roaring River Lake, Troutdale, 
Bald Mountain, Neinmeyer, Powerplant, Queens River, Riverside, Golden 
Gate, Ice Hole, Penny Springs, and Yellow Pine campgrounds. Many of 
these sites have been improved with new toilets and picnic tables over 
the last 8 to 10 years and additional income is needed for their 
continued operation and maintenance. A fee study, financial analysis, 
and public involvement efforts were completed in the spring and summer 
of 2007 in an effort to determine campground fees across the Boise 
National Forest, including both existing fee campgrounds as well as 
those proposed for new fees. Fees at campgrounds are proposed to be $15 
at sites that provide both drinking and water and trash removal and $12 
at sites that do not provide both of these amenities. A $5 day use fee 
is also proposed at some sites.

DATES: New fees would begin in May 2007 and contingent upon completion 
of certain improvements at a few sites.

ADDRESSES: Frank Guzman, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Boise National

[[Page 61109]]

Forest, 1249 South Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, Idaho 83709.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Keller, Recreation Program 
Manager, 208-373-4142. Information about proposed fee changes and other 
proposed management actions developed in the Recreation Facility 
Analysis process can also be found on the Boise National Forest Web 
site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/boise/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VII, Pub. L. 108-447) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to 
publish a 6-month advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new 
recreation fee areas are established.
    Once public involvement is complete, these new fees will be 
reviewed by a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee prior to a final 
decision and implementation.
    People wanting to rent the Swanholm and Rice Peak Lookouts, the 
Landmark Ranger Station or the Johnson Creek Guard Station would need 
to do so through the National Recreation Reservation Service, at http://www.reserveusa.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777 when it becomes 
available.

    Dated: October 23, 2007.
Frank V. Guzman,
Deputy Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 07-5337 Filed 10-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M