83 FR 49907 - Notice of New Fee Sites

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 192 (October 3, 2018)

The Kootenai National Forest is proposing to implement new fees at four recreation rental facilities and two campgrounds listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this notice. All sites have had recent upgrades and new or improved amenities added to improve services and recreation experiences. The two lookouts are being converted over to recreation rentals from being active fire lookouts. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. Funds from fees will be used for continued operation, maintenance and capital improvements to these recreation sites.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49907-49908]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21355]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of New Fee Sites

AGENCY: Kootenai National Forest, Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of proposed new fee sites.

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SUMMARY: The Kootenai National Forest is proposing to implement new 
fees at four recreation rental facilities and two campgrounds listed in 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this notice.
    All sites have had recent upgrades and new or improved amenities 
added to improve services and recreation experiences. The two lookouts 
are being converted over to recreation rentals from being active fire 
lookouts. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and 
services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market 
assessment, and public comment. Funds from fees will be used for 
continued operation, maintenance and capital improvements to these 
recreation sites.

DATES: Send any comments about these fee proposals by November 2, 2018 
so comments can be compiled, analyzed, and shared with the Western 
Montana Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation Resource Advisory 
Committee. The proposed effective date of implementation of proposed 
new fees will be no earlier than six months after publication of this 
notice.

ADDRESSES: Kootenai National Forest, Attn: Recreation Fee Proposals, 
31374 U.S. Highway 2, Libby, Montana 59923.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Laws, Forest Recreation Program 
Manager, Kootenai National Forest at 406-293-6211, or by email at 
[email protected]. Information about proposed fee changes can also be 
found on the Kootenai National Forest Fee proposal website at 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r1recfee.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act 
(Title VIII, 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. The Forest is proposing to charge 
at the following sites:
     Black Butte Lookout; Proposed fee of $55 per night.
     Ziegler Mountain Lookout; Proposed fee of $55 per night.
     Raven Ranger Station; Proposed fee of $100 for rental of 
the 3-bedroom Ranger House (sleeps 10-12). Visitors will also have the 
option to rent the Ranger House and all ancillary facilities; which 
includes a classroom, bunkhouse, cookhouse and a residence for: $250 
for under 75 people, and $500 for 75 to 150 people, for larger group 
gatherings;
     Whitetail Yurt; Proposed fee of $25 per night; This site 
has previously been available as part of the Whitetail Campground, 
however this proposal

[[Page 49908]]

will make this site a stand-alone overnight rental opportunity.
     Kilbrennan Lake Campground; Proposed fee of $10 per night, 
with an additional $5 extra vehicle fee per night for more than two 
vehicles; and
     Yaak Falls Campground; Proposed fee of $10 per night; with 
an additional $5 extra vehicle fee per night for more than two 
vehicles.
    Proposed fees at these recreation sites will be invested in site 
improvements that address sanitation and visitor safety, improve 
visitor comfort and convenience, reduce deferred maintenance, and 
improve the overall recreation experiences of the public. These new 
fees are part of a larger fee proposal available for review at 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r1recfee. Once public involvement is complete, 
these new fees will be reviewed by a Recreation Resource Advisory 
Committee prior to a final decision and implementation.
    Reasonable fees, paid by users of these sites and services, will 
help ensure that the Forest can continue maintaining and improving the 
sites for future generations. A market analysis of surrounding 
recreation sites with similar amenities indicates that the proposed 
fees are comparable and reasonable.
    Advance reservations for the Black Butte Lookout, Zeigler Mountain 
Lookout, Raven Ranger Station, and Whitetail Yurt rentals will be 
available through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The 
reservation service currently charges a $10 fee for reservations.

    Dated: September 18, 2018.
Gregory Smith,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-21355 Filed 10-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P