BLM seeks public input on Malta Field Office Updated Recreation Business Plan

MALTA, Mont. – Bureau of Land Management planners invite public input on the Malta Field Office’s draft updated Business Plan for Developed Recreation, which includes proposed fee increases. The plan and fees were last updated in 2014. 

The Malta Field Office currently manages a large and diverse recreation program that includes developed recreation sites, off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas, fishing reservoirs and general recreation sites.

“Since 2014, operational costs for recreation site maintenance have far outpaced revenue from user fees,” said Malta Field Manager Kathy Tribby. “A lot has changed in the past 10 years: inflation, the Covid 19 pandemic and other factors have rapidly increased costs for campground amenity items, supplies, services, wages and other items. Maintenance costs are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels.”

Recreation planners at the Malta Field Office are proposing fee increases at their developed recreation sites where fees are currently charged and visitor amenities require frequent maintenance, such as campgrounds. Current fees at the Malta Field Office’s developed campgrounds range from $8-10 per night for a camping site (most sites accommodate RVs or tents; no electric/water hookups). In comparison, similar campgrounds operated by other federal, state and commercial entities range from $15-35 per night for a tent site; $20-45 per night for an RV site (higher-priced RV sites have some or full hookups).

Just one of many examples within the draft updated business plan notes the cost of having a vault toilet pumped out increased by more than 200% between 2017 and 2024 (2017/$200; 2024/$625).

“We hope that in reviewing this business plan, people will notice that we have focused these fees and increases in places with intensive development – ones with many visitor amenities,” said Tribby. “These are places that require contracted maintenance services and need investment to support and protect quality recreation experiences.”

The draft business plan and supporting documents are available on the e-Planning website for a 30-day public comment period – Sept. 18 through Oct. 18, 2024 – https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2034586/510.

The Malta Field Office is seeking substantive comments on the draft recreation business plan that will help refine their analysis prior to issuing a decision. Substantive comments are those that reasonably question the accuracy or adequacy of the information analyzed or present new and reasonable alternatives within the scope of the business plan. Non-substantive comments are those that do not pertain to the project area, “vote” for an alternative, or agree or disagree with the analysis without sufficient rationale or justification.

Comments may be submitted using the following methods:

Electronic (preferred): BLM e-Planning – https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2034586/510 – click on the green “Participate Now” button.   

U.S. Postal Service: Bureau of Land Management;                                 Malta Field Office; ATTN: MaFO Developed Recreation Business Plan; 501 South 2nd Street East; Malta, MT 59538

Providing recreational opportunities is central to the BLM’s mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

-BLM-