81 FR 58908 - 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 166 (August 26, 2016)

The Willamette National Forest is proposing recreation fees at six recreation sites. The Willamette National Forest proposes a $5/day fee for the use of facilities at three day use sites: Hackleman Old Growth Grove, Hardesty Trailhead, and McCredie Picnic Area. Two campgrounds have proposed fees: Alder Springs Campground at $10/night and Indigo Springs Campground at $12/night. For overnight use of a backcountry shelter, the Willamette National Forest proposes a nightly fee of $80 during the summer season and a per person fee of $7/night during the winter season. Funds from recreation fees will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of these sites and associated trails. These fees are only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58908-58909]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20291]


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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: Willamette National Forest, USDA Forest Service

ACTION: Notice of New Fee Site.

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SUMMARY: The Willamette National Forest is proposing recreation fees at 
six recreation sites. The Willamette National Forest proposes a $5/day 
fee for the use of facilities at three day use sites: Hackleman Old 
Growth Grove, Hardesty Trailhead, and McCredie Picnic Area. Two 
campgrounds have proposed fees: Alder Springs Campground at $10/night 
and Indigo Springs Campground at $12/night. For overnight use of a 
backcountry shelter, the Willamette National Forest proposes a nightly 
fee of $80 during the summer season and a per person fee of $7/night 
during the winter season. Funds from recreation fees will be used for 
the continued operation and maintenance of these sites and associated 
trails. These fees are only proposed and will be determined upon 
further analysis and public comment.

DATES: Send any comments about these fee proposals by December 1, 2016 
so comments can be compiled, analyzed and shared with a Recreation 
Resource Advisory Committee. Fees may be implemented May, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Tracy Beck, Forest Supervisor, Willamette National Forest, 
3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D, Springfield, OR, 97477

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Peterson, Recreation Program 
Manager, 541-225-6421 or email [email protected]

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.
    This new fee proposal will be reviewed by a Recreation Resource 
Advisory Committee prior to a final decision and implementation.
    Mountain View Shelter will be available for overnight rental. The 
proposed fee differs by season: a nightly fee of $80.00 during the 
summer season and a per person fee of $7.00/night during the winter 
season. Backcountry shelter rentals offer a unique experience and are a 
popular offering on National Forests. The shelter is not currently 
available for use during the spring, summer and fall season. In winter, 
the shelter is currently first come-first served yet often fills to 
capacity, causing visitors to ski or trek back to their vehicles. 
Reservations would enable visitors to plan ahead and know whether they 
will have a space in the shelter. The cabin offers views and a place 
for Nordic skiers to stay overnight or warm up during the day. 
Activities nearby include winter skiing, hiking and hunting. Access to 
the site in the winter is only by skis and by vehicle during the rest 
of the year. Fees will be used to maintain and operate the shelter.
    Indigo Springs Campground is currently a free site, with three 
campsites. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, with garbage 
service and a vault restroom on-site. This campground is surrounded by 
a stand of old growth Douglas-fir and is close to the Middle Fork 
Trail. The springs for which the camp was named is nearby and can be 
enjoyed by walking an easy, 500 foot round-trip loop trail. 
Interpretive signs explain the role of the nearby historic Oregon 
Central Military Wagon Road and the role of the bull trout in the 
regional watershed ecosystem. The proposed fee is $12.00/night a 
campsite, and $6.00 per each additional vehicle per campsite.

[[Page 58909]]

    Alder Springs Campground is currently a free site, with six 
campsites. The campground is co-located with the Linton Lake Trailhead, 
which has an existing $5/day recreation fee. Campers currently use many 
of the same amenities as day users plus have the added benefit of their 
campsite, yet do this for free. The proposed fee addresses this 
inequity and is $10.00 for overnight camping, with a $5.00/night extra 
vehicle fee. This small, rustic campground is surrounded by towering 
Douglas fir trees. It is located on historic McKenzie Pass Highway (Hwy 
242) about 90 minutes east of Eugene and provides easy access into the 
Three Sisters Wilderness.
    The Hardesty Trailhead is located on Highway 58, about 30 miles 
southeast of the Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area. It was 
redeveloped in 2014, adding a vault restroom, picnic tables, hitching 
posts, and interpretation. It is a low elevation trailhead, providing 
year-round access to the Hardesty Trail and the South Willamette Trail, 
which provide access to the Goodman Creek and Eula Ridge trails. These 
trails are very popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
    McCredie Picnic Area is located on Highway 58, about 10 miles east 
of the Oakridge, OR. It was redeveloped in 2014, adding a vault 
restroom, picnic tables, and interpretation. With picnic areas in view 
of the Salt Creek and trails to the water's edge, the easily accessible 
site provides a pleasant stopping point for travelers along Highway 58.
    Hackleman Old Growth Grove, located along Highway 20 about 39 miles 
east of Sweet Home, OR, has on-site interpretation, picnic tables, 
restrooms, and a fully accessible trail that travels through an old-
growth grove of Douglas Fir trees.
    The proposed fee for Hardesty Trailhead, McCredie Picnic Area, and 
Hackleman Old Growth Grove is $5/day. Recreation passes, such as the 
Northwest Forest Pass, would also be accepted. Fees would help maintain 
and operate these sites, including adding garbage service.

    Dated: August 15, 2016.
Tracy Beck,
Willamette National Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2016-20291 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P