Alaska Region Supplement to Forest Service Manual 2720: Special Uses; Outfitting and Guiding Permit for Strictly Point-To-Point Commercial Transportation to, From, and Within the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Subunit of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, 33211-33213 [2021-13242]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Notices
Information Shared Between Agencies:
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We are requesting comments on all
aspects of this information collection to
help us to:
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(OMB) approval.
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Acting Manager, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2021–13328 Filed 6–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–08–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Davy Crockett-Sam Houston Resource
Advisory Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Davy Crockett-Sam
Houston Resource Advisory Committee
(RAC) will conduct a virtual meeting by
telephone conference. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (the Act) and
operates in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
of the committee is to improve
collaborative relationships and to
provide advice and recommendations to
the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with the Act.
RAC information can be found at the
following website: https://www.fs.usda.
gov/main/pts/specialprojects/racs.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 3:00 p.m.–
5:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time. All
RAC meetings are subject to
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SUMMARY:
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cancellation. For status of the meeting
prior to attendance, please contact the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held by
teleconference. Please use the following
information to access the call; dial
1–888–844–9904 using access code
2213326#. If you need assistance, please
contact Michelle Rowe at 936–222–2487
for instructions.
Written comments may be submitted
as described under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. All comments, including
names and addresses when provided,
are placed in the record and are
available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received at Davy Crockett
National Forest Ranger Station. Please
call ahead to facilitate entry into the
building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Rowe, RAC Coordinator, by
phone at 936–553–3066 or via email at
lisa.rowe@usda.gov.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the
hearing-impaired (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8:00
a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the meeting is to:
1. Introduce the new Designated
Federal Officer;
2. Discuss project priority list;
3. Discuss budget;
4. Vote on new project proposals; and
5. Discuss new RAC member
solicitation.
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda will include time for people
to make oral statements of three minutes
or less. Individuals wishing to make an
oral statement should request in writing
by July 2, 2021 to be scheduled on the
agenda. Anyone who would like to
bring related matters to the attention of
the committee may file written
statements with the committee staff
before or after the meeting. Written
comments and requests for time to make
oral comments must be sent to Jimmy
Tyree, Designated Federal Officer,
18551 State Highway 7 East, Kennard,
Texas 75847; by email to jimmy.tyree@
usda.gov, or via facsimile to 936–655–
2817.
Meeting Accommodations: If you are
a person requiring reasonable
accommodation, please make requests
in advance for sign language
interpreting, assistive listening devices,
or other reasonable accommodation. For
access to the facility or proceedings,
please contact the person listed in the
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33211
section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
All reasonable
accommodation requests are managed
on a case-by-case basis.
CONTACT.
Dated: June 21, 2021.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021–13538 Filed 6–22–21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Alaska Region Supplement to Forest
Service Manual 2720: Special Uses;
Outfitting and Guiding Permit for
Strictly Point-To-Point Commercial
Transportation to, From, and Within
the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Subunit of the Mendenhall Glacier
Recreation Area
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of availability for public
comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, is
seeking public comment on a proposed
revision to a directive supplement that
would require an outfitting and guiding
permit for strictly point-to-point
commercial transportation to, from, and
within the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor
Center subunit of the Mendenhall
Glacier Recreation Area (Visitor Center
subunit) in the Alaska Region of the
Forest Service (Alaska Region).
Comment is also requested on the
revision to the Forest Service’s
approved information collection for
outfitting and guiding permits.
DATE: Comments must be received in
writing by August 23, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The proposed revision to
the directive supplement is available at,
and comments may be submitted
electronically to, https://
cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/
CommentInput?project=ORMS-2314.
Written comments may be mailed to
Jennifer Berger, Alaska Region Public
Services Program Leader (RLM), P.O.
Box 21628, Room 535b, Juneau, AK
99802–1628. All timely comments,
including names and addresses, will be
placed in the record and will be
available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received at https://
cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/
ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2314.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Berger, Alaska Region Public
Services Program Leader, at 907–586–
8843 or jennifer.berger@usda.gov.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Notices
Individuals using telecommunication
devices for the hearing-impaired may
call the Federal Information Relay
Service at 800–877–8339 between 8 a.m.
and 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time,
Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest
Service’s special use regulations require
a special use authorization for
commercial activities like outfitting and
guiding (36 CFR 251.50(a), 251.51) and
define the term ‘‘guiding’’ to include
transporting people on National Forest
System (NFS) lands for remuneration or
other gain (36 CFR 251.51). The
principal purpose of outfitting and
guiding is to provide or facilitate an
outdoor recreational experience
involving NFS lands, improvements, or
resources. In contrast, the primary
purpose of public transportation such as
taxi and bus service is to provide pointto-point public transportation.
Because public transportation such as
taxi, air taxi, and bus service in Alaska
is often provided on NFS lands, the
Alaska Region issued a supplement to
Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2721.53
that exempts strictly point-to-point
commercial transportation from the
requirement to obtain an outfitting and
guiding permit. The existing FSM
supplement also provides that in areas
where activities are causing conflicts
with recreational users on NFS lands,
operators must cooperate with the
District Ranger to reduce the conflicts.
Since 2007, the Alaska Region has used
this authority in the existing FSM
supplement to require existing outfitters
and guides to obtain an outfitting and
guiding permit for commercial point-topoint transportation to, from, and
within the Visitor Center subunit during
cruise ship season to manage traffic
congestion prompted by growing cruise
ship tourism.
Cruise ship visitation to the Visitor
Center subunit has continued to grow,
increasing by 20 percent between 2007
and 2017. While the COVID–19
pandemic has depressed visitation, the
Forest Service expects it to return to
pre-pandemic levels and continue to
increase now that vaccines are more
widely available. In 2015, the Alaska
Region reassessed the commercial
capacity of the Visitor Center subunit to
address growing tourism demand and
allocated all existing commercial
capacity by means of a prospectus. Due
to overwhelming demand, current
permit holders could not be granted the
level of use they had requested, and
only five new operators could be issued
a permit.
Commercial point-to-point
transportation to, from, and within the
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19:19 Jun 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
Visitor Center subunit increased
substantially after 2017 when the State
of Alaska allowed transportation
network companies (TNCs) such as Uber
and Lyft to begin operating in the State.
There are 5 to 10 businesses that
attempt to operate at the Visitor Center
subunit without a permit each year.
Some TNCs are known nationally (like
Uber and Lyft), and some are local small
businesses. Juneau is a landlocked city
of 30,000 residents. The number of TNC
drivers conducting business in the city
fluctuates to accommodate residents in
the non-cruise season (when there are
fewer drivers) and to accommodate a
surge of an additional 3,600 to 18,000
cruise passengers per day during cruise
season (when there are more drivers).
The highest number of TNC drivers the
Forest Service has recorded operating at
one time within the city of Juneau is 12
at the height of cruise season on a 5ship-day, meaning 18,000 passengers
disembarked. Although the 4 to 12
drivers do not operate simultaneously in
the Visitor Center subunit, they operate
there repeatedly throughout the day
during the 6-month cruise season,
contributing significantly to congestion.
Based on the number of Uber and Lyft
trips recorded by Forest Service
personnel and reported by permit
holders, approximately 1,440 to 4,320
trips occur during cruise season per
(non-pandemic) year. This is a
conservative estimate based on a 6month cruise season and 4 to 12 Uber
and Lyft drivers traveling to the Visitor
Center subunit twice per day.
Under the existing FSM supplement,
the Alaska Region cannot require an
outfitting and guiding permit for TNCs
and other new operators. Consequently,
these new operators are unfairly
competing with existing outfitters and
guides. In addition, the unmanaged
commercial use in the Visitor Center
subunit is resulting in use conflicts,
increased risks to black bears
frequenting the area from wildlife/
vehicle conflicts, greater congestion and
public safety risks such as near-miss
vehicle/pedestrian incidents, and a
diminished recreational experience for
visitors. Feedback from visitors, permit
holders, and Forest Service personnel
indicates that wildlife/vehicle conflicts
average 10 to 14 per season and that
vehicle/pedestrian near-misses average
5 to 7 per season in the Visitor Center
subunit.
To address these concerns, the Alaska
Region is proposing to revise its FSM
supplement to require an outfitting and
guiding permit for all strictly point-topoint commercial transportation
(including services provided by TNCs)
to, from, and within the Visitor Center
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
subunit. Consistent with the definition
for guiding in the Forest Service’s
regulations, this activity involves
transporting people and has as its
principal purpose the facilitation of an
outdoor recreational experience
involving NFS lands, improvements, or
resources. The permit requirement
would apply only during the cruise
season as reflected in the calendar
published annually by Cruise Line
Agencies of Alaska, approximately April
1 to October 31, and only to the Visitor
Center subunit. All other strictly pointto-point commercial transportation in
the Alaska Region would continue to be
exempt from the permit requirement.
The existing exemption from the permit
requirement and the criteria for
applying the permit requirement in the
Alaska Region are also being published
for public comment.
Environmental analysis for major
road, trail, and other infrastructure
upgrades is underway to accommodate
additional outfitted and guided use in
the Visitor Center subunit. The draft
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the infrastructure improvements at
the Visitor Center subunit is scheduled
to be published in the summer of 2021.
The final EIS is expected to be
published and site design and
contracting are expected to begin in
fiscal year 2022. Construction is
anticipated to begin in fiscal year 2023
with funding through the Great
American Outdoors Act. Once the new
infrastructure is in place, the Alaska
Region will issue a new prospectus to
allocate additional use for strictly pointto-point commercial transportation to,
from, and within the Visitor Center
subunit. Until then, and after allocation
of additional use if they do not obtain
a permit, the Alaska Region has
identified a location on the border of the
Visitor Center subunit where operators
without a permit can pick up and drop
off clients.
The Forest Service has determined
that the proposed FSM supplement
formulates a standard, criterion, or
guideline applicable to a Forest Service
program and is therefore publishing the
proposed FSM supplement for public
comment in accordance with 36 CFR
part 216.
After the public comment period
closes, the Alaska Region will consider
timely and relevant comments in the
development of the final FSM
supplement. A notice of the final FSM
supplement, including a response to
timely and relevant comments, will be
posted on the Forest Service’s web page
at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/
regulations-policies.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Notices
The Forest Service has conducted an
economic analysis of the proposed
directive pursuant to the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 602 et seq., and
has determined that the proposed
directive would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The Forest
Service invites public comment on the
economic analysis. The Juneau
Economic Development Council (JEDC)
reported that in 2019 there were just
over 1.7 million visitors to Juneau. The
Visitor Center subunit attracted
approximately 540,000 of these visitors
during cruise season. This means that in
2019 about 1.16 million visitors engaged
in tourism activities other than Visitor
Center subunit visitation while in
Juneau. Under the proposed directive,
nonpermitted operators could still
deliver clients to a location on the
border of the Visitor Center subunit or
provide service to the 1.16 million
visitors engaged in Juneau tourism
activities other than the Visitor Center
subunit visitation. The JEDC reported
$103,225,389 in leisure, hospitality, and
transportation industry earnings (i.e.,
tourism revenue) for Juneau during
2019. Figures have not yet been
published for 2020 calendar year. Thus,
not doing business in the Visitor Center
subunit does not equate to not doing
business in Juneau, either for large or
small entities. In 2015, all commercial
capacity in the Visitor Center subunit
was allocated by means of a prospectus,
consistent with existing Forest Service
regulations. Due to overwhelming
demand, current permit holders could
not be granted the level of use they had
requested, and only five new operators
could be issued a permit. The 2015
prospectus resulted in distribution of
157,179 Visitor Center subunit service
days (1 service day = 1 client) to 15
permit holders, all of which were small
businesses. Of these 15 small
businesses, 10 were allocated new use
that was added to existing permits,
while 5 of the small businesses became
first-time permit holders through this
prospectus. There were 3 small
businesses that applied but were not
selected. There are currently 26 permits
issued to tourism businesses operating
in the Visitor Center subunit. One is a
large business (affiliated with PrincessHolland-America Cruises); the other 25
are small businesses. Thus, most of the
businesses currently operating in the
Visitor Center subunit are small. There
are 5 to 10 businesses that attempt to
operate at the Visitor Center subunit
without a permit each year. Some of
these companies are known nationally
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19:19 Jun 23, 2021
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(like Uber and Lyft), and some are local
small businesses.
The 25 small businesses would
continue to operate in the Visitor Center
subunit. Companies without a permit
would be invited to submit an
application in response to a prospectus
once the infrastructure improvements
have been completed and recreation
capacity in the Visitor Center subunit
has increased. Like the 2015 prospectus,
this prospectus is expected to help
existing permit holders expand their
operations, if desired, and allow new
operators to enter the market.
Companies issued a permit would be
authorized to provide transportation to,
from, and within the Visitor Center
subunit. Companies who apply for but
do not obtain a permit could continue
to drop off and pick up passengers at the
border of the Visitor Center subunit and
could still deliver clients to a location
on the border of the Visitor Center
subunit or provide service to the 1.16
million visitors engaged in Juneau
tourism activities other than Visitor
Center subunit visitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act Compliance
Title: Special Uses Administration.
OMB Number: 0596–0082.
Type of Request: Revision.
Abstract: The agency uses Form FS–
2700–4i to issue outfitting and guiding
permits, and the proposed directive, by
requiring an outfitting and guiding
permit for strictly point-to-point
commercial transportation to, from, and
within the Visitor Center subunit,
would expand the use of this form and
therefore increase the burden hours
associated with the form.
Affected Public: Individuals or
businesses providing strictly point-topoint commercial transportation to,
from, and within the Visitor Center
subunit would need to have an
outfitting and guiding permit, Form FS–
2700–4i.
Estimate of Burden per Response: 1
hour.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 3–5.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 3–5 hours.
Dated: June 17, 2021.
Tina Johna Terrell,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
System.
[FR Doc. 2021–13242 Filed 6–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
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33213
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Boundary Establishment for Snake
River Headwaters National Wild and
Scenic River, Bridger-Teton National
Forest, Jackson County, Wyoming
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of availability.
In accordance with Section
3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act,
the USDA, Forest Service, Washington
Office, is transmitting the final
boundary to Congress for the Snake
River Headwaters National Wild and
Scenic River segments administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture (acting
through the Chief of the Forest Service).
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information may be obtained by
contacting David Cernicek at
David.cernicek@usda.gov or 307–413–
2010, or the Bridger-Teton National
Forest Supervisor’s Office at (307) 739–
5500, or https://www.fs.usda.gov/
contactus/btnf/about-forest/contactus.
The Snake
River Headwaters Wild and Scenic
River boundary description and map are
available for review at https://
www.fs.usda.gov/detail/btnf/special
places/?cid=stelprdb5281115.
Due to COVID–19 health and safety
protocols to protect employees and
visitors, many Forest Service offices are
closed to the public. The Snake River
Headwaters Wild and Scenic River
boundary description and maps are
available for review at the following
offices, if arrangements are made in
advance: USDA, Forest Service, Yates
Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024,
phone (800) 832–1355; Intermountain
Regional Office, Federal Building, 324
25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401, phone
(801) 625–5605; and Bridger-Teton
National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 340
N. Cache Ave, Jackson, WY 83001,
phone (307) 739–5500. Please contact
the appropriate office prior to arrival.
The Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters
Legacy Act of 2008, passed as part of
Public Law 111–11 of March 30, 2009,
designated Snake River Headwaters,
Wyoming, as a National Wild and
Scenic River with certain segments to be
administered by the Secretary of
Agriculture. As specified by law, the
boundary will not be effective until
ninety days after Congress receives the
transmittal.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33211-33213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13242]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Alaska Region Supplement to Forest Service Manual 2720: Special
Uses; Outfitting and Guiding Permit for Strictly Point-To-Point
Commercial Transportation to, From, and Within the Mendenhall Glacier
Visitor Center Subunit of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest
Service, is seeking public comment on a proposed revision to a
directive supplement that would require an outfitting and guiding
permit for strictly point-to-point commercial transportation to, from,
and within the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center subunit of the
Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (Visitor Center subunit) in the
Alaska Region of the Forest Service (Alaska Region). Comment is also
requested on the revision to the Forest Service's approved information
collection for outfitting and guiding permits.
DATE: Comments must be received in writing by August 23, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The proposed revision to the directive supplement is
available at, and comments may be submitted electronically to, https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2314.
Written comments may be mailed to Jennifer Berger, Alaska Region Public
Services Program Leader (RLM), P.O. Box 21628, Room 535b, Juneau, AK
99802-1628. All timely comments, including names and addresses, will be
placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect comments received at https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2314.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Berger, Alaska Region Public
Services Program Leader, at 907-586-8843 or [email protected].
[[Page 33212]]
Individuals using telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired
may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339 between
8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service's special use regulations
require a special use authorization for commercial activities like
outfitting and guiding (36 CFR 251.50(a), 251.51) and define the term
``guiding'' to include transporting people on National Forest System
(NFS) lands for remuneration or other gain (36 CFR 251.51). The
principal purpose of outfitting and guiding is to provide or facilitate
an outdoor recreational experience involving NFS lands, improvements,
or resources. In contrast, the primary purpose of public transportation
such as taxi and bus service is to provide point-to-point public
transportation.
Because public transportation such as taxi, air taxi, and bus
service in Alaska is often provided on NFS lands, the Alaska Region
issued a supplement to Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2721.53 that exempts
strictly point-to-point commercial transportation from the requirement
to obtain an outfitting and guiding permit. The existing FSM supplement
also provides that in areas where activities are causing conflicts with
recreational users on NFS lands, operators must cooperate with the
District Ranger to reduce the conflicts. Since 2007, the Alaska Region
has used this authority in the existing FSM supplement to require
existing outfitters and guides to obtain an outfitting and guiding
permit for commercial point-to-point transportation to, from, and
within the Visitor Center subunit during cruise ship season to manage
traffic congestion prompted by growing cruise ship tourism.
Cruise ship visitation to the Visitor Center subunit has continued
to grow, increasing by 20 percent between 2007 and 2017. While the
COVID-19 pandemic has depressed visitation, the Forest Service expects
it to return to pre-pandemic levels and continue to increase now that
vaccines are more widely available. In 2015, the Alaska Region
reassessed the commercial capacity of the Visitor Center subunit to
address growing tourism demand and allocated all existing commercial
capacity by means of a prospectus. Due to overwhelming demand, current
permit holders could not be granted the level of use they had
requested, and only five new operators could be issued a permit.
Commercial point-to-point transportation to, from, and within the
Visitor Center subunit increased substantially after 2017 when the
State of Alaska allowed transportation network companies (TNCs) such as
Uber and Lyft to begin operating in the State. There are 5 to 10
businesses that attempt to operate at the Visitor Center subunit
without a permit each year. Some TNCs are known nationally (like Uber
and Lyft), and some are local small businesses. Juneau is a landlocked
city of 30,000 residents. The number of TNC drivers conducting business
in the city fluctuates to accommodate residents in the non-cruise
season (when there are fewer drivers) and to accommodate a surge of an
additional 3,600 to 18,000 cruise passengers per day during cruise
season (when there are more drivers). The highest number of TNC drivers
the Forest Service has recorded operating at one time within the city
of Juneau is 12 at the height of cruise season on a 5-ship-day, meaning
18,000 passengers disembarked. Although the 4 to 12 drivers do not
operate simultaneously in the Visitor Center subunit, they operate
there repeatedly throughout the day during the 6-month cruise season,
contributing significantly to congestion. Based on the number of Uber
and Lyft trips recorded by Forest Service personnel and reported by
permit holders, approximately 1,440 to 4,320 trips occur during cruise
season per (non-pandemic) year. This is a conservative estimate based
on a 6-month cruise season and 4 to 12 Uber and Lyft drivers traveling
to the Visitor Center subunit twice per day.
Under the existing FSM supplement, the Alaska Region cannot require
an outfitting and guiding permit for TNCs and other new operators.
Consequently, these new operators are unfairly competing with existing
outfitters and guides. In addition, the unmanaged commercial use in the
Visitor Center subunit is resulting in use conflicts, increased risks
to black bears frequenting the area from wildlife/vehicle conflicts,
greater congestion and public safety risks such as near-miss vehicle/
pedestrian incidents, and a diminished recreational experience for
visitors. Feedback from visitors, permit holders, and Forest Service
personnel indicates that wildlife/vehicle conflicts average 10 to 14
per season and that vehicle/pedestrian near-misses average 5 to 7 per
season in the Visitor Center subunit.
To address these concerns, the Alaska Region is proposing to revise
its FSM supplement to require an outfitting and guiding permit for all
strictly point-to-point commercial transportation (including services
provided by TNCs) to, from, and within the Visitor Center subunit.
Consistent with the definition for guiding in the Forest Service's
regulations, this activity involves transporting people and has as its
principal purpose the facilitation of an outdoor recreational
experience involving NFS lands, improvements, or resources. The permit
requirement would apply only during the cruise season as reflected in
the calendar published annually by Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska,
approximately April 1 to October 31, and only to the Visitor Center
subunit. All other strictly point-to-point commercial transportation in
the Alaska Region would continue to be exempt from the permit
requirement. The existing exemption from the permit requirement and the
criteria for applying the permit requirement in the Alaska Region are
also being published for public comment.
Environmental analysis for major road, trail, and other
infrastructure upgrades is underway to accommodate additional outfitted
and guided use in the Visitor Center subunit. The draft environmental
impact statement (EIS) for the infrastructure improvements at the
Visitor Center subunit is scheduled to be published in the summer of
2021. The final EIS is expected to be published and site design and
contracting are expected to begin in fiscal year 2022. Construction is
anticipated to begin in fiscal year 2023 with funding through the Great
American Outdoors Act. Once the new infrastructure is in place, the
Alaska Region will issue a new prospectus to allocate additional use
for strictly point-to-point commercial transportation to, from, and
within the Visitor Center subunit. Until then, and after allocation of
additional use if they do not obtain a permit, the Alaska Region has
identified a location on the border of the Visitor Center subunit where
operators without a permit can pick up and drop off clients.
The Forest Service has determined that the proposed FSM supplement
formulates a standard, criterion, or guideline applicable to a Forest
Service program and is therefore publishing the proposed FSM supplement
for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216.
After the public comment period closes, the Alaska Region will
consider timely and relevant comments in the development of the final
FSM supplement. A notice of the final FSM supplement, including a
response to timely and relevant comments, will be posted on the Forest
Service's web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies.
[[Page 33213]]
The Forest Service has conducted an economic analysis of the
proposed directive pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.
602 et seq., and has determined that the proposed directive would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The Forest Service invites public comment on the economic
analysis. The Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) reported that
in 2019 there were just over 1.7 million visitors to Juneau. The
Visitor Center subunit attracted approximately 540,000 of these
visitors during cruise season. This means that in 2019 about 1.16
million visitors engaged in tourism activities other than Visitor
Center subunit visitation while in Juneau. Under the proposed
directive, nonpermitted operators could still deliver clients to a
location on the border of the Visitor Center subunit or provide service
to the 1.16 million visitors engaged in Juneau tourism activities other
than the Visitor Center subunit visitation. The JEDC reported
$103,225,389 in leisure, hospitality, and transportation industry
earnings (i.e., tourism revenue) for Juneau during 2019. Figures have
not yet been published for 2020 calendar year. Thus, not doing business
in the Visitor Center subunit does not equate to not doing business in
Juneau, either for large or small entities. In 2015, all commercial
capacity in the Visitor Center subunit was allocated by means of a
prospectus, consistent with existing Forest Service regulations. Due to
overwhelming demand, current permit holders could not be granted the
level of use they had requested, and only five new operators could be
issued a permit. The 2015 prospectus resulted in distribution of
157,179 Visitor Center subunit service days (1 service day = 1 client)
to 15 permit holders, all of which were small businesses. Of these 15
small businesses, 10 were allocated new use that was added to existing
permits, while 5 of the small businesses became first-time permit
holders through this prospectus. There were 3 small businesses that
applied but were not selected. There are currently 26 permits issued to
tourism businesses operating in the Visitor Center subunit. One is a
large business (affiliated with Princess-Holland-America Cruises); the
other 25 are small businesses. Thus, most of the businesses currently
operating in the Visitor Center subunit are small. There are 5 to 10
businesses that attempt to operate at the Visitor Center subunit
without a permit each year. Some of these companies are known
nationally (like Uber and Lyft), and some are local small businesses.
The 25 small businesses would continue to operate in the Visitor
Center subunit. Companies without a permit would be invited to submit
an application in response to a prospectus once the infrastructure
improvements have been completed and recreation capacity in the Visitor
Center subunit has increased. Like the 2015 prospectus, this prospectus
is expected to help existing permit holders expand their operations, if
desired, and allow new operators to enter the market. Companies issued
a permit would be authorized to provide transportation to, from, and
within the Visitor Center subunit. Companies who apply for but do not
obtain a permit could continue to drop off and pick up passengers at
the border of the Visitor Center subunit and could still deliver
clients to a location on the border of the Visitor Center subunit or
provide service to the 1.16 million visitors engaged in Juneau tourism
activities other than Visitor Center subunit visitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act Compliance
Title: Special Uses Administration.
OMB Number: 0596-0082.
Type of Request: Revision.
Abstract: The agency uses Form FS-2700-4i to issue outfitting and
guiding permits, and the proposed directive, by requiring an outfitting
and guiding permit for strictly point-to-point commercial
transportation to, from, and within the Visitor Center subunit, would
expand the use of this form and therefore increase the burden hours
associated with the form.
Affected Public: Individuals or businesses providing strictly
point-to-point commercial transportation to, from, and within the
Visitor Center subunit would need to have an outfitting and guiding
permit, Form FS-2700-4i.
Estimate of Burden per Response: 1 hour.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3-5.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3-5 hours.
Dated: June 17, 2021.
Tina Johna Terrell,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2021-13242 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
