Appropriate Expenditure of Recreation Fee Collections (1232)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240http://www.blm.govSeptember 21, 2010In Reply Refer To: 2930 (250) PEMS TRANSMISSION 09/22/2010Information Bulletin No. 2010-119To: All Field OfficialsAttn: Recreation PlannersFrom: Division Chief, Recreation and Visitor ServicesSubject: Appropriate Expenditure of Recreation Fee Collections (1232)Recreation fee collections (1232) are only one part of a comprehensive funding strategy to support recreation sites and services. Other parts of the strategy include appropriated funding, volunteer assistance, interagency agreements, grants, partnerships with the private sector, commercial operations (e.g., concessions, outfitters, and guides), and leveraged funding (e.g., matching grants, challenge cost share). Site/area business plans are required to ensure recreation fee revenues are part of a well-researched operating plan that has been vetted through a public process. Recreation fee revenue should supplement, not supplant, these other types of funding.The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) retains 100 percent of recreation fee receipts at the site of collection for each field office. Of this amount, at least 85 percent is to be used for recreation related facilities, services, and programs related directly to visitor enjoyment, visitor access, and health and safety, including:1. Backlogged repair, maintenance, and enhancement of recreation projects.2. Repair, maintenance, and enhancement of recreation projects.3. Interpretation, visitor information, visitor services, and signs.4. Habitat restoration directly related to wildlife-dependent recreation that is limited to hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or photography.5. Law enforcement directly related to public use and recreation.6. Direct, operating or capital, costs associated with the cost of collecting the recreation fee.7. Support of volunteer and partnership projects, and similar partnership authorities related to recreation.Collections can be spent on permanent labor (i.e., full-time equivalent (FTE)) directly involved in recreation fee program activities (e.g., implementation, accounting, collections,) and enhanced recreation and visitor services to the public. Examples include maintenance staff repairing and maintaining a campground, a law enforcement ranger providing visitor protection in a recreation area, a recreation planner monitoring a permitted off-highway vehicle race, and a recreation technician collecting fees at a fee booth. There should be a clear tie between the work being performed and the benefit to the recreation area/site where the fees are collected.The BLM offices may use no more than 15 percent on the administrative costs, including overhead and indirect costs (i.e., management of recreation program, general office supplies). Expenditures that directly benefit a recreation fee site or program (e.g., campground rehabilitation project) are not to be considered in the 15 percent cost of collection.The Recreation Permit Administration Handbook (H-2930-1) provides more helpful guidance on expending recreation fee collections. If you have questions concerning this Information Bulletin, please contact Anthony Bobo, Jr., Recreation Fee and Permit Program Manager, Division of Recreation and Visitor Services (WO-250), at 202-912-7248 or Anthony_Bobo@blm.gov.Signed by: Gary G. Marsh, Acting, Division Chief, Recreation and Visitor ServicesAuthenticated by: Robert M. Williams, Division of IRM Governance, WO-560