[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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