Department of Agriculture December 1, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Forest Service is proposing changes to its directives governing permits for operation of campground and related Granger-Thye concessions (concessions with Government-owned improvements) on National Forest System lands. The proposed directives would reduce from 50 to 10 percent the camping fee discount campground concessioners (concessioners) are required to offer to holders of Senior and Access Passes and Golden Age and Golden Access Passports. Additionally, the proposed directives would allow concessioners to propose camping fee discounts above 10 percent for these pass holders in their applications; would require concessioners to offer a 10 percent discount to holders of Senior and Access Passes and Golden Age and Golden Access Passports for standard amenity recreation fee (SARF) day use sites that they operate; and would require concessioners to provide free use to holders of Annual and Volunteer Passes at SARF day use sites they operate. Furthermore, existing concessioners could request amendment of their permit to incorporate all of these changes, as well as an increase in their land fee for the remaining term of their permit if their gross revenue increases significantly due to the reduction in the camping fee discount. Alternatively, the proposed directive changes would allow existing concessioners to continue operating under the terms of their current permit until it expires. Public comment on the proposed directives is invited and will be considered in development of the final directives.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting in Prather, California on January 13, 2010 and Clovis, California on January 27, 2010. The purpose of the January 13th meeting will be to review new project proposals that were submitted by the January 8th due date and the purpose of the meeting on January 27th will be to vote and approve projects to be funded under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 110-343).