81 FR 55172 - Notice of New Fee Site; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 160 (August 18, 2016)

The Tongass National Forest is proposing to charge a $75 fee for the overnight rental of the Deep Bay Cabin. This facility is available for recreation use through the National Recreation Reservation Service, at www.recreation.gov. The Forest has decided to offer the cabin, through www.recreation.gov prior to charging a rental fee. Public feedback based on cabin rentals in the Alaska Region have consistently demonstrated that people appreciate and enjoy the availability of rental cabins. Funds from the rental will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the facilities. The cabin rental fee is only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55172-55173]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19714]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


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

AGENCY: Tongass National Forest, USDA Forest Service

ACTION: Notice of new fee site.

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SUMMARY: The Tongass National Forest is proposing to charge a $75 fee 
for the overnight rental of the Deep Bay Cabin. This facility is 
available for recreation use through the National Recreation 
Reservation Service, at www.recreation.gov. The Forest has decided to 
offer the cabin, through www.recreation.gov prior to charging a rental 
fee. Public feedback based on cabin rentals in the Alaska Region have 
consistently demonstrated that people appreciate and enjoy the 
availability of rental cabins. Funds from the rental will be used for 
the continued operation and maintenance of the facilities. The cabin 
rental fee is only proposed and will be determined upon further 
analysis and public comment.

DATES: Public comment on the proposal for Deep Bay Cabin to begin 
charging a rental fee will be received through December 2016. Starting 
in January 2017 comments will be compiled, analyzed and shared with the 
Alaska Region Fee Board. Should the fee proposal move forward, the 
rental rate of $75 per night will likely begin in February 2017.

ADDRESSES: Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest, 648 Mission 
Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Fluharty, Recreation Fee 
Coordinator, (907) 228-6331.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VII, P.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. This new fee will be reviewed by 
the Alaska Region Fee Board prior to a final decision and 
implementation.
    The Tongass National Forest provides multiple cabins located in a 
variety of forest environments ranging from ocean shore, lakeshore, to 
mountain and alpine settings. These cabins serve as a base camp for 
forest visitors for hiking, hunting, fishing, OHV riding and nature 
touring activities. These cabins are important for access and 
maintaining traditional recreation activities, including subsistence 
hunting and fishing.
    The Deep Bay Cabin is fully accessible and includes a wheelchair 
ramp from the parking lot to the cabin. It is a large group cabin and 
can accommodate up to 12 people. It consists of two buildings connected 
by a large deck which is partially covered. Each building has sleeping 
rooms and a common room. There are oil stoves for heat (not cooking). 
There is a small storage shed, an outside fire grill, and outhouse. It 
is a simple facility, with no electricity, trash service or running 
water. The cabin is located near Deep Bay on Zarembo Island. It is 
accessible year-around by float plane or boat.

[[Page 55173]]

    A cabin rental analysis performed in 2015 for the cabins in the 
Alaska Region has shown that people desire having this type of 
recreation experience on the Tongass National Forest. The proposed $75 
per night cabin rental fee for Deep Bay Cabin is consistent with the 
fee charged at the only other large group cabin on the Tongass National 
Forest and is both reasonable and acceptable for this sort of unique 
recreation experience. People interested in renting the facility will 
need to go through the National Recreation Reservation Service, at 
www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The National 
Recreation Reservation Service charges a $9 fee for online reservations 
and a $10 fee for phone in reservations.

    Dated: August 11, 2016.
M. Earl Stewart,
Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2016-19714 Filed 8-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P