8-20-08 Phase II Comment Summary

New Melones Lake Implements Phase II of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act Decision: The Bureau of Reclamation began the implementation of fee changes at New Melones Lake on Thursday, May 1, 2008, for Phase I. Phase II fee changes are scheduled to begin, Wednesday, October 1, 2008. As proposed in the “Initial Plan for Phased Implementation of the 2005 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Draft)”, the fee for day-use is $6, boat-launching is $8 per day (includes the $6 day-use fee), Annual Day Use pass is $40, Annual Boat Launch Pass is $60, and the Daily camper’s overflow vehicle/visitor fee is $6 (includes the $6 day-use fee). Additionally, the Federal Interagency Pass Program will be implemented. The Bureau of Reclamation announced proposed changes to its fee program on Friday, February 15, 2008 for New Melones Lake in order to implement the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), Public Law 108-774, Title VIII. REA authorizes Reclamation to issue special recreation use permits and participate in both a fee collection/retention program and the nationwide Federal Interagency Pass Program. Implementing REA marks the first time a Reclamation-managed recreation area may retain revenues collected on-site and use them to enhance recreation facilities and services. Prior to REA, all revenues collected at New Melones went to the Federal Treasury. Public Involvement: On Monday April 7, 2008, Reclamation announced a ...