[Federal Register: October 15, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 198)]
[Notices]
[Page 58284-58285]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15oc07-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Proposed New Recreation Fee Sites; Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)
AGENCY: Shawnee National Forest, USDA Forest Service.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites and Recreation Facilities
Modifications.
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SUMMARY: The Shawnee National Forest is proposing to begin charging
fees at eight day-use recreation sites, as well as for equestrian use
of the designated trail system. Additionally, the Forest proposes to
increase fees at five campgrounds. The proposed fees are based on the
level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and
maintenance and market assessment. At this time, the fees described
below are only proposed and may be modified upon further analysis and
public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued
operation and maintenance of recreation sites and the Forest's
designated equestrian trail system. The establishment of fees at
certain types of recreation sites on national forests is authorized by
the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which was signed into law
by President Bush in December 2004.
In addition to the new fees and the fee increases, the Shawnee
National Forest is proposing to increase the cost effectiveness of some
recreation facilities by removing amenities at these sites.
Proposed Day-Use Fees
Day-use fees of $5.00 per car are being considered for the Garden
of the Gods interpretive and picnic sites, Pounds Hollow picnic and
beach area, Bell Smith Springs interpretive and picnic areas, Lincoln
Memorial at Jonesboro, Johnson Creek picnic and beach area, the Johnson
Creek Boat Launch and the Little Grand Canyon Trailhead. An occupant of
each car entering the parking areas of these sites would be expected to
self-pay using a fee envelope provided at the site. Day-use fees of
$5.00 per boat are being proposed for use of the Buttermilk Hill Picnic
Site. At Buttermilk Hill an occupant of each boat would be expected to
self-pay using a fee envelope provided at the site. Fees collected at
these areas would be used for the maintenance and upkeep of the
facilities.
Proposed Trail Use Permits for Equestrians
The Shawnee National Forest also proposes to establish a trail
permit fee of $5.00 per day ($50.00 per year) for equestrians to use
designated national forest trails. In areas where cross country riding
is authorized, and on national forest roads, riding would remain free.
Permits would be available from Shawnee National Forest Offices and
from cooperating vendors. Permits would be issued to individuals and
would not be transferable. No permit would be required for persons
under 16 years of age. Fees collected for equestrian use of trails
would be used for the maintenance, construction or enhancement of
equestrian trails and trailhead facilities.
Annual Passes for Day Use Facilities and Equestrian Trails
An Annual Pass will be available for frequent visitors or those who
wish to recreate for longer periods of time on the Shawnee. A Shawnee
National Forest Annual Pass will be available at Shawnee National
Forest offices for $50.00 and will admit one vehicle into day-use fee
areas at the Pounds Hollow Recreation Area, Garden of the Gods
Recreation Area, Bell Smith Springs, Johnson Creek Recreation Area,
Lincoln Memorial and the Little Grand Canyon Trailhead for an unlimited
number of visits for one year from the date of purchase. A Shawnee
National Forest Annual Equestrian Trail Permit will be available for
$50.00 at Shawnee National Forest offices or at participating vendors
and would authorize use of one horse or mule on designated trails that
are open to equestrian use for one year from the date of purchase.
Proposed Fee Increases for Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds
The Shawnee National Forest proposes to increase fees at five
campgrounds. A campsite at Pharaoh Campground at Garden of the Gods
fees would increase from $5.00 to $12.00 per night with the fee also
covering day-use of Pharaoh Picnic Area and the Garden of the Gods
Interpretive Site. Fees at Camp Cadiz would be raised from $5.00 to
$10.00 per night. Fees at Pine Ridge Campground at the Pounds Hollow
Recreation Area would increase from $5.00 to $12.00 per night and would
include use of the Pounds Hollow Picnic and Beach day-use sites. Fees
at Pine Hills Campground would increase from $5.00 to $10.00 per night.
Fees at the Johnson Creek Group Campground would increase from $5.00 to
$12.00 for a single site, $9.00 to $15.00 for a double site and $15.00
to $20.00 for a triple site. The fees at the Johnson Creek Group
Campground would also include the use of the Johnson Creek boat launch,
picnic and beach day-use sites.
Proposed Modification of Shawnee National Forest Recreation Facilities
The Shawnee National Forest proposes to increase the cost
effectiveness of developed recreation facilities management by reducing
services at some locations where use continues to be light. The
following actions are being considered: Removal of the tables, fire
rings and toilets from the Johnson Creek Single Family Campground (the
Group Campground will remain open), removal of one picnic shelter from
the Johnson Creek Picnic Area, removal of tables, fire rings and
toilets from two of four loops of Pine Ridge Campground at the Pounds
Hollow Recreation Area, removal of the water system at Tower Rock
Campground and removal of the tables and grills at the Tower Rock
Picnic Site, and removal of tables, fire rings, toilets and water tanks
from the Buck Ridge Campground at Lake of Egypt. Fees will no longer be
required for the use of the Tower Rock Campground. The boat launches at
Tower Rock and at Hickory Point on Lake of Egypt would remain open and
free to the public. Additionally, the boardwalk and other facilities at
the Oakwood Bottoms Green-Tree Reservoir site, and the picnic and
interpretive shelters at Illinois Iron Furnace picnic site would not be
replaced when they have reached the end of their serviceability. The
toilet at Teal Pond would be removed without replacement.
DATES: New fees may begin as early as April 2008. Modifications to
facilities may begin as soon as June of 2008.
The Shawnee National Forest will host open-house meetings to
explain the fee and facility proposals or to discuss other items of
interest related to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of
2004. The meetings will be open to the public. Meetings will be held on
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vienna High School,
601 N. 1st Street, Vienna, Illinois; on Wednesday, November 7, 2007
from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 100 Columbus Drive,
Marion, Illinois;
[[Page 58285]]
and on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Davis-
McCann Center, 15 North 14th Street, Murphysboro, Illinois.
ADDRESSES: Comments and recommendations regarding the Shawnee National
Forest's recreation fee and/or facilities proposals can be sent to
Hurston A. Nicholas, Forest Supervisor, Shawnee National Forest, 50
Highway 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946. Comments or recommendations
concerning these recreation fee proposals should be submitted prior to
mid April 2008 in order to be considered. You can e-mail your comments
using the ``Contact Us'' link on the Shawnee National Forest Web site
at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/shawnee/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Pohlman, Recreation Program
Manager, 618-253-7114. Information about proposed fee changes can also
be found on the Shawnee National Forest Web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/shawnee/passes/
.
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. Additionally, the Act stipulates
that the establishment of new fees or the modification of existing fees
must be reviewed by a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC)
prior to their implementation. Once public recommendations and comments
have been gathered, these fee proposals, along with any modifications
resulting from public comments, will be submitted for review by the
RRAC.
Dated: October 9, 2007.
Hurston A. Nicholas,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E7-20232 Filed 10-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P