[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7507-7508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-566]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


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

AGENCY: Umatilla National Forest, USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: 

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otice of Proposed New Fee Sites.

SUMMARY: The Umatilla National Forest is proposing to charge fees at 39 
recreation sites. Fees are assessed based on the leval of amenities and 
services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market 
assessment, and public comment. The fees listed below are only 
proposed. The final fees will be determined upon further analysis and 
public comment. Funds from fees would be retained locally and used for 
the continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites. The 
public has been notified of proposed fees in several ways. In July of 
2007, signs were posted at all potentially affected campgrounds, rental 
cabins, and trail heads requesting public feedback on the proposed 
fees. Press releases regarding the Umatilla National Forest's 
recreation facility master plan and fee proposals were issued to area 
newspapers on September 11 of 2007. The release was followed by 7 open 
houses held in communities across the Forest during September and 
October. The fee proposal continues to be advertised on the Umatilla 
National Forest's Web site.
    Rental Cabins: Fremont Caretaker's Cabin on the North Fork John Day 
Ranger District and Tucannon Guard Station on the Pomeroy Ranger 
District will be available for overnight rental. A financial analysis 
is being completed to determine the rental fees; the range being 
considered is from $70 to $100 per night. Cabin rentals offer a unique 
experience and are a popular offering in National Forests. Both cabins 
were recently restored to maintain their eligibility to the National 
Register of Historic Places. Fees would continue to help protect and 
maintain cabins and their historic integrity.
    Campgrounds: The Umatilla National Forest is proposing to begin 
charging fees at 20 campgrounds. These sites provide similar amenities 
as sites that currently require fees. They are as follows: Big Creek, 
Divide Wells, Driftwood, Drift Fence, Gold Dredge, Oriental, and Winom 
campgrounds in the North Fork John Day Ranger District; Coalmine Hill, 
Fairview, and Penland campgrounds in the Heppner Ranger District; Alder 
thicket, Big Springs,

[[Page 7508]]

Forest boundary, Godman, Ladybug, Midway, Misery Springs, Panjab, 
Pataha, and Wickiup campgrounds on the Pomeroy Ranger District. A 
financial analysis is being completed to determine fee rates.The fees 
proposed to help maintain these sites would range between $5 and $14 
for single sites, $10-$16 for double sites, $20-$40 for group sites. 
There would be an extra $5.00 charge per additional vehicle per 
campsite at all the listed campgrounds.
    Trailheads: The Umatilla National Forest proposes charging fees at 
the following 17 trailheads: North Fork John Day, Frazier, Winom, and 
Big Creek trailheads on the North Fork John Day Ranger District; Elk 
Flats, Meadow Creek, Panjab, Teepee, Three Forks, Timothy Springs, 
Tucannon, and Twin Buttes on Pomeroy Ranger District; and Burnt Cabin, 
Deduct Pond, Middle Point, North Fork Umatilla, and Rough Fork on the 
Walla Walla Ranger District. These sites would be established as fee 
sites since amenities such as toilets, garbage service, and 
interpretive signing have been or will be added. Recreation Passes such 
as the Northwest Forest Pass would cover day use fees for these 
trailheads. Northwest Forest Passes are $5 for a daily pass and $30 for 
an annual pass.

DATES: Proposed fees would begin after June 2008 and are contingent 
upon completion of certain improvements. The cabin rentals would be 
available once a final decision is made and are offered through the 
National Recreation Reservation Service.

ADDRESSES: Kevin Martin, Forest Supervisor, Umatilla National Forest, 
2517 SW. Hailey Avenue, Pendleton, Oregon 97801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Randall, Umatilla Recreation Fee 
Coordinator, 509-522-6276. Information about proposed fee changes can 
also be found on the Umatilla National Forest Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/recreation/rfa/fee_changes. shtml.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VII, Pub. L. 108-447) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to 
publish a six 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 Fremont Caretaker's Cabin or Tucannon Guard Station 
would need to do so through the National Recreation Reservation 
Service, at http://www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 when 
it becomes available.

    Dated: January 30, 2008.
Kevin Martin,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 08-566 Filed 2-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M