[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16807-16808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7008]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLAKA02000-L12200000-EB0000]
Notice of Intent To Collect Fees on Public Land in Tangle Lakes,
Alaska, Glennallen Field Office Under the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (REA), the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) Glennallen Field Office will begin to collect fees in 2011 upon
completion of construction at the Tangle Lakes Campground, mile 121.5
Denali Highway, Alaska (Section 34, T. 21 S., R. 9 E., Fairbanks
Meridian).
DATES: Submit comments on or before April 25, 2011. The public is
encouraged to comment. Effective 6 months after the publication of this
notice and upon completion of construction, the BLM Glennallen Field
Office will initiate fee collection in the Tangle Lakes Campground,
unless the BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the contrary.
Future adjustments in the fee amount will be modified in accordance
with the Glennallen Field Office's recreation fee business plan;
consultation with the BLM Anchorage District Office; and the public
being notified prior to any fee increase.
ADDRESSES: Field Manager, Glennallen Field Office, Bureau of Land
Management, P.O. Box 147, Mile Post 186.5 Glenn Highway, Glennallen,
Alaska 99588.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elijah Waters, Recreation Branch Chief
or Marcia Butorac, Outdoor Recreation Planner, 907-822-3217; address:
P.O. Box 147, Mile Post 186.5 Glenn Highway, Glennallen, Alaska 99588;
e-mail: [email protected].
[[Page 16808]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tangle Lakes Campground is located in
central Alaska along the Denali Highway at milepost 21.5 and lies
within the nationally designated Delta Wild and Scenic River corridor
and within the nationally registered Tangle Lakes Archaeological
District. Under section 3(g) of the REA, the Tangle Lakes Campground
will qualify as a site wherein visitors can be charged an ``Expanded
Amenity Recreation Fee.'' Pursuant to the REA and regulations at 43 CFR
part 2931, fees may be charged for developed campgrounds. Money
collected from fees will be used at the Tangle Lakes Campground for
visitor services as well as repair, maintenance, and facility
enhancement that affects visitor enjoyment, access, health, and safety.
The BLM is committed to provide and receive fair value for the use of
developed recreation facilities and services that meet public-use
demands, provide quality experiences, and protect important resources.
Camping fees collected at the Tangle Lakes Campground will help ensure
funding for the maintenance of facilities and provide recreational
opportunities and resource protection. The amount of the recreation fee
shall be commensurate with fees charged at the other campgrounds within
the Glennallen Field Office administrative boundaries with
consideration to benefits and services provided to the visitor, cost of
operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment.
Camping fees will be posted at the site and collection will take place
utilizing a self-service station. Campers using the America the
Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
(Interagency Senior Pass and Interagency Access Pass) will receive a 50
percent discount to the camping fee.
Reconstruction of the Tangle Lakes Campground is planned for the
summer of 2011. The improvements will provide designated campsites with
tables, tent or trailer space and fire rings, as well as a picnic area,
parking, roadways, trails and improved outhouses. The campground
currently maintains accessible toilet facilities, bear-proof refuse
containers, and drinking water. Upon completion of construction, the
facility will comply with the REA regulation for developed campgrounds
allowing for an expanded amenity recreation fee.
Public comments from recreationists have been gathered for many
years through voluntary registration stands and Government Performance
and Results Act (GPRA) surveys regarding fee collection within the
Glennallen Field Office area. Fees are expected by visitors using
Glennallen Field Office campground facilities. In 2004, 52.2 percent of
GPRA-surveyed visitors reported they were willing to pay more for their
stay in Glennallen Field Office campgrounds. In 2008, 86 percent of the
GPRA survey respondents visiting Glennallen Field Office campgrounds
felt that the fee was appropriate for the site.
As provided for in section 4(d)(1)(C) of the REA, the Governor of
Alaska chose not to establish a committee to review recreation fee
proposals. The Glennallen Field Office did engage the public through
meetings for the update of the Delta Wild and Scenic River management
plan. The public was provided details of the planned improvements and
collection fees at the Tangle Lakes Campground and given an opportunity
to comment. Visitors to the campground over the last several years have
been informed of the pending facility changes and fees being charged at
the site.
In December 2004, the REA was signed into law. For 10 years, the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture have authority under the
REA to establish, modify, charge, and collect fees for use of some
Federal recreation lands and waters, and contains specific provisions
addressing public involvement in the establishment of recreation fees.
The REA also directs the Secretaries to publish a 6-month advance
notice in the Federal Register whenever new recreation fee areas are
established. In accordance with BLM recreation fee program policy, the
Glennallen Field Office is developing a Recreational Fee Business Plan
to be available at the Glennallen Field Office and the Anchorage
District Office. The business plan explains the fee collection process
and how fees will be used at the fee site.
The BLM welcomes public comments. Please send comments to the
address specified in the ADDRESSES section. Before including your
address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying
information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire
comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made
publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to
withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6803(b).
Gary Reimer,
District Manager, Anchorage District Office.
[FR Doc. 2011-7008 Filed 3-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P