[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 66664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33189]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Concession Permits; Glacier Bay National Park, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Public notice.

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SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service 
(NPS) proposes to award concession permits authorizing the operation of 
cruise ship services for the public at Glacier Bay National Park, 
Alaska, for a period of five (5) years from January 1, 2000, through 
December 31, 2004. This solicitation offers sixty-eight (68) cruise 
ship entries from June 1 to August 31 and up to 546 cruise ship entries 
outside of the June-August regulatory period into Glacier Bay proper, 
subject to the scheduling limitation of two cruise ships per day, year 
round for all companies combined. This solicitation also serves as 
public notice that the NPS intends to discontinue the former practice 
of issuing Incidental Business Permits for park waters outside Glacier 
Bay proper, and instead require prospective operators to apply under a 
concession solicitation and prospectus to operate in these waters after 
January 1, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Within 30 days of January 15, 1998, a notice will be 
published in the Commerce Business Daily. The official release date of 
the Prospectus shall be the date of publication in the Commerce 
Business Daily. Anyone interested in making an offer for these permits 
must do so within 90 days of the date of publication of the Commerce 
Business Daily announcement.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should contact the Superintendent, 
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826 
for a copy of the prospectus.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An assessment of the environmental impact of 
this proposed action has been made and it has been determined that it 
will not significantly affect the quality of the environment, and that 
it is not a major Federal action having significant impact on the 
environment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The 
environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact may be 
reviewed in the headquarters building of Glacier Bay National Park & 
Preserve, Gustavus, Alaska.
    There are two types of preferences applicable to this solicitation, 
as follows:
    1. The provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands 
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3197), Section 1307(b) and 36 CFR 13.83 
apply to this solicitation. Preference will be given to the Native 
Corporation(s) most directly affected by the creation of Glacier Bay 
National Park and Preserve and to persons who are determined to be 
local residents. The preferences established in ANILCA Section 1307 
take precedence over the preferential right of renewal granted 
incumbent NPS concessioners (see item #2 below).
    2. Thirty of the 68 cruise ship entries during the June 1-August 31 
period referred to above are assigned to existing concessioners. These 
existing concessioners have operated satisfactorily during their 
current permits, and may apply and compete for new permits. As 
satisfactory operators, they have the rights to renewal provided for in 
PL 89-249, Section 5 and in 36 CFR 51.3(b) and 36 CFR 51.5.
    For further details concerning these preferences, see the 
prospectus.
    All interested parties are encouraged to apply and the Secretary 
will consider and evaluate all offers received as a result of this 
notice. Any offer, including that of the existing concessioner, must be 
received by the Superintendent, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, 
at the Bartlett Cove Administration Building, Gustavus, Alaska 99826-
0140 or at P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826, not later than 90 days 
following the date of publication of the Commerce Business Daily 
announcement.
Tom Ferranti,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 97-33189 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M