[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 18, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 30919-30920] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-15374] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Park Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of its Concession Management Program. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received no later than August 19, 1996. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Robert K. Yearout, Chief, Concession Program Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127 or 202-343-3784. [[Page 30920]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Proposed Sale of Concession Operations. OMB Number: 1024-0126. Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1996. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The National Park Service (NPS) authorizes private businesses known as concessioners to provide necessary and appropriate visitor facilities and services in areas of the National Park System. Concession authorizations may be assigned, sold, transferred or encumbered by the concessioner subject to prior written approval of the NPS. The NPS requires that certain information be submitted for review prior to the consummation of any sale, transfer, assignment or encumbrance. 16 U.S.C. 3 provides that no contract, lease, permit or privilege granted for the purpose of providing accommodations for visitors to the national parks shall be assigned or transferred by such grantees, permittees, or licensees without the approval of the NPS, first obtained in writing. It further provides that the NPS may authorize concessioners to execute mortgages and issue bonds, shares of stock, and other evidences or interest in or indebtedness upon their rights, properties and franchises, for the purposes of installing, enlarging or improving plant and equipment and extending facilities for the accommodation of the public within national parks and monuments. 16 U.S.C. 20(3) also provides that the possessory interest of a concessioner may be assigned, transferred, encumbered, or relinquished. Regulations at 36 CFR, Part 51, require that certain information be submitted for review by the NPS prior to the consummation of any sale, transfer, assignment or encumbrance. The information requested is used to determine whether or not the proposed transaction will result in decreased services to the public, the lack of a reasonable opportunity for profit over the remaining term of the authorization, or rates in excess of existing approved rates to the public. In addition, pursuant to the regulations at 36 CFR, Part 51, the value of rights for intangible assets such as the concession contract, right of preference in renewal, user days, or low fees belong to the Government. If any portion of the purchase price is attributable either directly or indirectly to such assets, the transaction may not be approved. The amount and type of information to be submitted varies with the type and complexity of the proposed transaction. Without such information, the NPS would be unable to determine whether approval of the proposed transaction would be in the best interest of the public and whether the return to the Government for the privileges authorized would be adequate. Estimate of Burden: Approximately 80 hours per response. Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 20. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,600 hours. A list of information required to be submitted with a request for sale, assignment, transfer or encumbrance of a concession authorization is set forth at 36 CFR, Part 51.7. Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information to: Robert K. Yearout, Chief, Concession Program Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: May 29, 1996. Maureen Finnerty, Associate Director, Park Operations and Education. [FR Doc. 96-15374 Filed 6-17-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P