Bureau of Land Management Fee-Free Days for 2021

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
https://www.blm.gov

August 28, 2020

In Reply Refer To:
2930 (HQ-430) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/10/2020
Information Bulletin No. 2020-029

To:                 All Field Office Officials
                      Attn: Recreation Planners

 From:             Assistant Director, National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships

 Subject:          Bureau of Land Management Fee-Free Days for 2021

In calendar year 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will waive standard amenity recreation fees for visitors on January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), February 15 (President’s Day), June 12 (National Get Outdoors Day), August 4 (Great American Outdoors Day), September 25 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). 

Authority for the establishment of “fee-free” days stems from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. Chapter 87, Section 6804(3)).  For the BLM, the requirement to observe “fee-free” days means the waiver of standard amenity fees and day-use fees only (i.e. visitor centers, picnic/day use areas and National Conservation Lands units where fees are charged).  Expanded amenity fees and other fees (i.e. those for group day use, overnight camping, cabin rentals and individual special recreation permits for use of special areas), will remain in effect, unless the field office manager deems it appropriate to waive them.  For data collection and accountability purposes, a zero-value receipt equivalent to a one-day pass may be issued to those visitors whose fee is waived.

BLM field units in jointly managed areas, near, or adjacent to other federal units are encouraged to coordinate to offer similar fee free access as appropriate.  BLM offices are encouraged to promote the fee-free days to the public, communities, partners, and youth organizations as an opportunity to instill land stewardship values and promote the Secretary of the Interior’s priority for expanded public access opportunities available on BLM-managed public lands.

For more information about the BLM’s recreation fee program, please visit the Recreation Permits and Fees webpage. If you have questions concerning this Information Bulletin, please contact Kevin Oliver koliver@blm.gov, Division Chief, Recreation and Visitor Services Division (HQ-430).

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:
Alan Bittner                                                    Robert M. Williams
Acting, Assistant Director                              Division of Regulatory Affairs, (HQ-630)
National Conservation Lands
   and Community Partnerships