[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]



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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