Department of Agriculture September 19, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Manti-La Sal National Forest is planning to charge fees at eleven recreation sites. All sites have recently been reconstructed or amenities added to improve services and experiences. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. The fees listed are only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of these sites. Indian Creek Guard Station and Seeley Guard Station will be available for overnight rental. A financial analysis is being completed to determine the rental fee but may range between $30 and $50 per night. Guard Stations rentals offer a unique experience and are a widely popular offering on National Forests. These Guard Stations have recently been restored. Fees would continue to help protect and maintain the Guard Stations. The Manti-La Sal National Forest is proposing to charge a fee of $5 per vehicle per night at Twin Reservoir Fishing/Camping and an overnight fee of $5 per site at Mason Draw Campground, Oowah Lake Campground and Sand Flats Camping Area (Maloy Park). A $7 overnight fee per site is proposed at Fish Creek Campground and Trailhead. These sites are eligible under the Recreation Fee Enhancement Act to collect fees for continued operation and maintenance. A financial analysis is being completed to determine fee rates.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development, has made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) with respect to a request for possible financing assistance to East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) for the construction of two new Smith Station combustion turbine electric generating units (CTs), two new electric switching stations, and the 36-mile, Smith-West Garrard 345 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line located in Clark, Madison, and Garrard Counties, Kentucky (Proposal).

On August 27, 2007, The Mt. Hood National Forest (Forest) published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (72 FR 48982) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document and disclose the potential environmental effects of establishing and designating a system of roads, trails and areas for off-highway vehicles (OHV). The proposed action will change OHV access through much of the Forest in order to meet the intent of the Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use; Final Rule that was published on November 9, 2005 (70 FR 216). The original Notice of Intent listed the final date to receive comments concerning the scope of the analysis as October 1, 2007. The Notice of Intent is being revised to extend the final date for receiving comments concerning the scope of the analysis to November 1, 2007.