[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 68 (Monday, April 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18501-18502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8685]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Public Scoping Open House for Belle Haven Marina

AGENCY: National Park Service (NPS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public scoping open house.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with 42 USC 4371 et seq. and National Park 
Service Policy, George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) announces a 
public scoping Open House for the general public to consider and 
comment on alternatives for the future of visitor services provided on 
the Belle Haven peninsula. There will be a 30-day public comment 
period.

DATES: May 1, 2001, and May 2, 2001, between 7 and 9 p.m. at Potowmack 
Landing Restaurant. Potowmack Landing is located on GWMP at 
Daingerfield Island between Reagan National Airport and Old Town 
Alexandria.

ADDRESSES: Printed copies of the alternatives being presented at the 
Open House will be available for public inspection at GWMP 
Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA, Monday through Friday, 8 
a.m. to 4 p.m. One copy will also be available at the Mary

[[Page 18502]]

Custis and the Sherwood Hall Libraries in Fairfax County as well as the 
Queen Street Library in Alexandria. An electronic copy will be 
available on the GWMP website: http://www.nps.gov/gwmp. A limited 
number of copies are also available upon request by contacting GWMP at 
703-289-2500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Belle Haven Marina, Inc. has a contract with 
GWMP authorizing the concessioner to provide wet slip rental, dry 
storage, ramp service, sailboat rental, sailboat instructions, soft 
drink sales, and packaged goods within an assigned area of Belle Haven 
Park. The concessioner is currently operating under a contract 
extension which expires December 31, 2001. The National Park Service 
Concessions Management and Improvement Act (1998 Act) provides new 
legislative policies and procedures for the solicitation and award of 
concession contracts by the NPS. Section 51.23 of the concession 
contracting regulation, found at 36 CFR part 51, states that extensions 
in excess of an aggregate of three years are not permissible. Belle 
Haven Marina, Inc. will reach the three-year time limit on contract 
extensions December 31, 2001 and by regulation cannot continue 
concession operations within GWMP. ``In addition Section 402(b) of the 
1998 Act states that, It is the policy of Congress that the development 
of public accommodations, facilities, and services in units of the 
National Park System be limited to those accommodations, facilities, 
and services that are necessary and appropriate for public use and 
enjoyment * * * and are consistent to the highest practicable degree 
with the preservation and conservation of the resources and values of 
the unit.'' A feasibility analysis as well as annual reports on the 
status of the marina identified problems that pose threats to visitor 
safety as well as environmental impacts to the sensitive resources in 
the adjacent Dyke Marsh area.
    The purpose of the Open House is to initiate public involvement in 
planning for what is necessary and appropriate for the public use and 
enjoyment of the Belle Haven area. Information obtained through the 
public scoping Open House will be incorporated into a forthcoming 
Environmental Assessment that will also go through a public review and 
comment period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Lavelle at (703) 289-2536.

Audrey F. Calhoun,
Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway.
[FR Doc. 01-8685 Filed 4-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P