[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 10545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4633]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Adoption of Proposed Leasing Regulations/Guidelines for the El 
Portal Administrative Site Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, CA; 
Request for Public Comment

SUMMARY: The National Park Service is responsible for the management 
and administration of the El Portal Administrative Site. To facilitate 
these activities the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, acting 
on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, has been authorized to 
issue leases for lands within the Administrative Site subject to terms, 
conditions, and guidelines as are appropriate to assure the proper 
administration, protection, and development of the site. The adoption 
proposed will establish the qualifications of persons and corporations 
who may be eligible to acquire a lease, the process used to establish 
lease fees, and the circumstances under which the Superintendent of 
Yosemite National Park may acquire unexpired leases.

Background

    Sections 47-1 through 47-6 of Title 16, United States Code, govern 
the Superintendent's management and administration of the El Portal 
Administrative Site (``Site''). Section 47-1 states that in order ``to 
preserve the extraordinary natural qualities of Yosemite National 
Park'', the Superintendent is authorized to manage the Site such that 
``utilities, facilities, and services required in the operation and 
administration of Yosemite National Park may be located on such site 
outside the Park.'' To effectuate this goal, the Superintendent has 
been authorized under Section 47-2 to issue leases directly or through 
a Contract Lease Manager subject to such terms, conditions, and 
guidelines as are appropriate to assure proper administration, 
protection, and development of the Site and the Park.
    Before leases can be issued, however, the Superintendent must 
prepare suitable guidance regarding the issuance and management of 
leases. Section 47-5 states: ``Such regulations shall establish the 
qualifications of natural persons and corporations who may be eligible 
to acquire a lease and a sublease, the process to be used in 
establishing fees for such leases and subleases, and they shall set 
forth the circumstances under which the Secretary may elect to acquire 
any unexpired lease or sublease.'' Thus established is a guiding 
framework for the residential and commercial leasing of government-
owned lands and structures within the Site. Also provided thereby is 
program funding, by establishing a Fair Rental Value for leased 
property, and means to determine an appropriate Permit Fee for 
permitted property within the El Portal Administrative Site. Funds 
collected will be used as directed in 16 U.S.C. 47-3.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Special Park Uses, P.O. 
Box 700, El Portal, California 95318, (209) 379-9238.
    Reference: Public Law 85-922 of September 2, 1958, Public Law 90-
409 of July 21, 1968 and Public Law 99-542 of October 27, 1986, as 
codified in Title 16, United States Code, Sections 47-1 through 47-6.
    Comments: Written comments must be postmarked not later than April 
25, 2000. Requests for a copy of the proposed leasing program, or 
written comments, should be addressed to: Superintendent, Yosemite 
National Park, c/o Office of Special Park Uses, P.O. Box 700, El 
Portal, California 95318.
    Please confine written comments to issues or concerns pertinent to 
the proposal and explain the reasons for any recommended changes. Where 
possible, reference the specific section or paragraph subject to 
comment. If individuals submitting comments request that their name or/
and address be withheld from public disclosure, it will be honored to 
the extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently 
at the beginning of the comments. There also may be circumstances 
wherein the NPS will withhold a respondent's identity as allowable by 
law. As always: NPS will make available to public inspection all 
submissions from organizations or businesses and from persons 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
and businesses; and, anonymous comments may not be considered. The 
public may inspect comments received on this proposal in the Office of 
Special Park Uses, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on 
business days.

    Dated: February 17, 2000.
James R. Shevock,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-4633 Filed 2-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P