[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 189 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 56546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22772]


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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: 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 two 
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.
    The bunkhouse at the Dutch Creek Guard Station will be available 
for overnight rental. In consideration of the fees for similar Forest 
Service facilities and other location factors, the tentative cabin 
rental fee was set at $45 per night. Guard station rental cabins offer 
unique experiences and are a popular offering in National Forests. Two 
other cabins at this guard station have been available for public 
rental for a number of years and are rented approximately 50 nights 
during the snow-free season. This facility will expand rental 
opportunities in that it will make a great rental facility for larger 
groups or family reunions, as it will accommodate 8-10 easily, and more 
once remodeling plans to add more sleeping space in the basement are 
completed. Fees would continue to help protect and maintain this 
structure, as well as to finance the additional sleeping area 
construction work. The bunkhouse would be available once a final 
decision is made and they are listed with the National Recreation 
Reservation Service which is anticipated for June 2009 at the earliest.
    Fees are also proposed at the Willow Creek campground on the 
Mountain Home Ranger District. This site has been improved with a new 
accessible toilet and picnic tables over the last 8 to 10 years and 
additional income is needed for its continued operation and 
maintenance. A fee study, financial analysis, and public involvement 
efforts have been ongoing since spring 2007 in an effort to evaluate 
and designate new fee sites across the Boise National Forest. Fees at 
campgrounds are generally $15 at sites that provide both drinking 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: Fees would begin to be charged for rental of the Dutch Creek 
bunkhouse and the Willow Creek campground in May 2009.

ADDRESSES: Cecilia R. Seesholtz, Forest Supervisor, Boise National 
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 fee site proposals 
will be reviewed by a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee prior to a 
final decision and implementation.

    Dated: September 23, 2008.
Frank V. Guzman,
Deputy Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E8-22772 Filed 9-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M