[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37468-37469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17916]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Intent to Revise Concession Policy

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to revise concession policy.

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SUMMARY: On January 17, 1995, the National Park Service (NPS) published 
for public comment in the Federal Register proposed amendments to 
certain concession policies. Two of these policy amendments have been 
adopted under separate notice. The remaining policy amendment proposed 
to eliminate the exemption from franchise fee computation of gross 
receipts generated by the sale of Native American handicrafts. In 
reviewing comments received on this proposal, NPS noted that the notice 
incorrectly limited this exclusion to Native American handicrafts, 
although the Standard NPS Concession Contract refers to ``genuine 
United States Indian and native handicraft.''
    Because this is a much broader category than indicated in the 
January 17, 1995, Federal Register notice, NPS is publishing a revised 
policy amendment for comment. Although not required by law to seek 
public comments on this policy amendment, NPS will consider all 
comments received in a timely manner in its final decision on this 
matter. Comments on this policy amendment submitted in response to the 
January 17, 1995, Federal Register notice will also be retained and 
considered. Respondents to that notice are also invited to amend or 
expand their comments as a result of this revision.

COMMENT DATE: August 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be made to Robert Yearout, Chief, 
Concessions Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, 
Washington, DC 20013-7127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For many years, NPS has had a policy which 
excludes from franchise fee computation the proceeds to concessioners 
generated by the sale of United States Indian and native handicrafts. 
The purpose of the policy 

[[Page 37469]]
was to encourage the sale of such handicrafts by making their sale more 
profitable to concessioners. However, experience has shown that 
concessioners generally are not encouraged to stock and sell more 
United States Indian and native handicrafts as a result of this policy 
than they would in its absence. Consequently, the exemption from 
franchise fees constitutes a windfall to concessioners with no 
overriding benefits to United States Indian or native handcrafters.
    According to a recent report from the Department of the Interior 
Inspector General, this exemption reduced NPS franchise fee revenues by 
over $2.7 million from 1988 through 1992 from 55 concessions in 43 
parks. In addition, the Inspector General criticized NPS for not 
adequately monitoring merchandising procedures with respect to sale of 
United States Indian and native handicrafts and stated that NPS 
personnel often did not have the expertise to verify handicraft 
authenticity. The Inspector General recommended the elimination of the 
policy of exempting sales of United States Indian and native 
handicrafts from franchise fee calculations.
    For these reasons, NPS intends to eliminate this exemption from the 
Standard NPS Concession Contract and to remove it from Chapter 10 of 
NPS Management Policies.

    Dated: July 3, 1995.
John Reynolds,
Acting Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17916 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P