82 FR 40986 - Notice of New Fee Sites

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 166 (August 29, 2017)

The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are proposing several new fees to recreation areas on the three ranger districts located within the Forests. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance and market assessment. These fees are proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Fee revenue would be used for the continued operation and maintenance as well as improvements to the facilities within the recreation areas. An analysis of nearby recreation facilities with similar amenities shows that the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 29, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40986-40987]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18233]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of New Fee Sites

AGENCY: Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests, USDA Forest 
Service

ACTION: Notice of New Fee Sites.

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SUMMARY: The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are 
proposing several new fees to recreation areas on the three ranger 
districts located within the Forests. Fees are assessed based on the 
level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and 
maintenance and market assessment. These fees are proposed and will be 
determined upon further analysis and public comment. Fee revenue would 
be used for the continued operation and maintenance as well as 
improvements to the facilities within the recreation areas. An analysis 
of nearby recreation facilities with similar amenities shows that the 
proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area.

DATES: Send any comments about these fee proposals by October 13, 2017 
to the appropriate ranger district listed below so comments can be 
compiled, analyzed, and shared with a Recreation Resource Advisory 
Committee.

ADDRESSES: Hector District Ranger, Finger Lakes National Forest, State

[[Page 40987]]

Route 414, Hector, NY 14841; Manchester District Ranger, Green Mountain 
National Forest, 2538 Depot Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255; or 
Rochester District Ranger, Green Mountain National Forest, 99 Ranger 
Road, Rochester, VT 05767.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hector Ranger District: Tim Noon, 
Natural Resource Specialist, (607) 546-4470; Manchester Ranger 
District: Emily Lauderdale, District Recreation Program Manager, (802) 
362-2307; Rochester Ranger District: Holly Knox, District Recreation 
Program Manager, (802) 767-4261.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VII, Pub. L. 108-447) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to 
publish a six month advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new 
recreation fee or fee areas are established.
    The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are proposing 
several new fees to recreation areas on the three ranger districts 
located within the Forests. They are as follows:
    1. Hector Ranger District, Finger Lakes National Forest: Proposed 
new fees for Backbone Horse Camp for overnight use at $15.00 per night 
for one vehicle and one horse trailer, and a day use fee of $5.00 for 
one vehicle and one horse trailer.
    2. Manchester Ranger District, Green Mountain National Forest: 
Proposed new fees for Grout Pond Recreation Area for overnight use at 
$16.00 per night for one vehicle, plus an additional $5 for each 
additional vehicle.
    3. Rochester Ranger District, Green Mountain National Forest: 
Proposed new fees for Silver Lake Campground at $10 per night, plus an 
additional $5 for each additional vehicle; and Texas Falls Day Use Area 
Pavilion at $20 for up to 20 people, and $40 for 21-40 people.
    A tremendous increase in recreation use at these specific areas on 
the Forests has shown that people appreciate and enjoy the availability 
of developed recreation facilities and pavilions. The Forests currently 
have several campgrounds and recreation areas with fees, and pavilions 
for rent. The campgrounds and recreation areas are often at capacity 
with pavilion rentals often fully booked throughout their rental 
season. A market analysis for each area indicates that the above 
proposed fees are both reasonable and acceptable for this sort of 
unique recreation experience. Revenue from the recreation fees will be 
used for improvements as well as the continued operation and 
maintenance of these sites. These fees will also help support 
sustainable recreation on the Forests.
    The proposed fees will be reviewed by a Recreation Resource 
Advisory Committee prior to a final decision and implementation. If 
approved by the Eastern Regional Forester, the new fees would go into 
effect around May 2018. The Backbone Horse Camp, Grout Pond Recreation 
Area, Silver Lake Campground, and Texas Falls Day Use Area Pavilion 
will become available for recreational use and rentals around May 2018.
    People wanting to reserve Backbone Horse Camp, Silver Lake 
Campground, or Texas Falls Day Use Area Pavilion will need to do so 
through Recreation One Stop, at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-
444-6777. Recreation One Stop charges a $10 fee for reservations.

    Dated: August 11, 2017.
Glenn Casamassa,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-18233 Filed 8-28-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P