[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 105 (Monday, June 1, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33193-33195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11672]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-R-2019-N036; FXRS12630900000/FF09R81000; OMB Control Number
1018-New]
Agency Information Collection Activities; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Concessions
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will request Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of an existing collection in
use without an OMB control number.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
July 31, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request by
mail to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/PERMA (JAO), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@fws.gov. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1018-Concessions in the subject line of
your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this information collection request, contact Madonna L. Baucum,
Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at
Info_Coll@fws.gov, or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals who
are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-
800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and its
implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information
collections require approval under the PRA. We may not conduct or
sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on
new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This
helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements
and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public
understand our information collection requirements and provide the
requested data in the desired format.
We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this information collection request. Before including
your address, phone number, email address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Abstract: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to ensure
that we provide opportunities within the Service for compatible
wildlife-dependent recreational uses across the National Wildlife
Refuge System (System). Furthermore, the Secretary is authorized to
award concessions contracts under the following Acts:
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of
1966 (Administration Act, 16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to negotiate and award contracts and issue
regulations to carry out the Act.
The Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C.-460k-460k-3)
allows the use of refuges for public recreation when such use is not
inconsistent with or does not interfere with the primary purpose(s) of
the refuge.
The Refuge Revenue Sharing Act (16 U.S.C. 715s) authorizes
the Secretary to grant privileges and collect revenues from leases for
public accommodations or facilities established for the System.
Specifically, the Administration Act provides that, with respect to
the Refuge System, it is the policy of the United States that--
a. Each refuge shall be managed to fulfill the mission of the
System, as well as the specific purposes for which that refuge was
established;
b. Compatible wildlife-dependent recreation is a legitimate and
appropriate general public use of the System, directly related to the
mission of the System and the purposes of many refuges, and which
generally fosters refuge management and through which the American
public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife;
c. Compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses are the priority
general public uses of the System and shall receive priority
consideration in refuge planning and management; and
d. When the Secretary determines that a proposed wildlife-dependent
recreational use is a compatible use within a refuge, that activity
should be facilitated, subject to such restrictions or regulations as
may be necessary, reasonable, and appropriate.
The Administration Act also provides that, in administering the
Refuge System, the Secretary shall--
a. Recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the
priority general public uses of the System, through which the American
[[Page 33194]]
public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife;
b. Ensure that opportunities are provided within the System for
compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses;
c. Ensure that priority general public uses of the System receive
enhanced consideration over other general public uses in planning and
management within the System; and
d. Provide increased opportunities for families to experience
compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, particularly opportunities
for parents and their children to safely engage in traditional outdoor
activities, such as fishing and hunting.
Private businesses and non-profit organization under contract to
the Service provide recreational, educational, and interpretive
enjoyment of our lands and waters by managing lodging, food,
transportation, and supplies and equipment for the enjoyment of the
visiting public. These services gross approximately $3,000,000 every
year and provide jobs for more than 100 people annually.
The regulations at 50 CFR subpart F (Sec. 25.61) primarily
implement the authorities governing public use facilities operated by
concessionaires or cooperators under appropriate contact or legal
agreement on national wildlife refuges where there is a demonstrated
justified need for services or facilities, including but not limited to
boat rentals, swimming facilities, conducted tours of special natural
attractions, shelters, tables, trailer lots, food, lodging, and related
service.
Service Manual chapters 630 FW 4-6 discuss the Service's current
policy for concession management and provide guidance for permitting
and administering concession operations on Service lands. We use
concession contracts to assist us in providing wildlife-dependent
recreation activities to the visiting public by using contracts between
the Service and a private entity, where the private entity is allowed
to charge a fee for services provided at a field station to the
visiting public.
We collect information in both narrative (non-form) and form
format. The amount of information or degree of detail requested varies
widely, depending upon the size and scope of the business opportunity.
For example, a much greater amount of detailed information would be
required for a multi-unit camping and food service operation than would
be required for a small bait sales operation. We use the information
provided by prospective concessionaires to objectively evaluate offers
received for a particular business opportunity, assure adequate
protection of refuge resources, and to determine which offeror will
provide the best service to visitors.
Below are examples of types of information the Service collects
from a potential or current concessionaire.
General Concessionaire Information
Description of how the respondent will conduct operations
to minimize disturbance to wildlife; protect refuge resources; and
provide visitors with a high-quality, safe, and enjoyable visitor
experience.
Proposal to protect, conserve, and preserve resources of
the refuge. The proposal must respond to specific resource management
objectives and issues at the refuge and regarding the contract in
question.
Proposal to provide necessary and appropriate visitor
services at reasonable rates. This proposal must respond to specific
visitor service questions at the refuge and regarding the contract in
question.
Experience and related background of the offeror,
including past performance and expertise of the offeror in providing
the same or similar visitor services as those to be provided under the
draft concession contract.
Financial capability of the offeror to carry out its
proposal. In particular, we require projected financials, including
initial investments, startup expenses, income statement, operating
assumptions, cash flow statement, recapture of investments, and all
associated assumptions.
The amount of the proposed minimum franchise fee and other
forms of financial consideration.
Proposal for Concession Opportunity
Offeror's transmittal letter, including the name and
contact information of the entity offering a proposal to operate a
concession contract.
Business type of the offeror, such as corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, etc.
Business history information, including adverse history
that could impact future operations under a concession contract.
Credit report, so that we can understand the offeror's
credit history and any risks of contracting with the entity.
Proposed staffing/management operation information,
including organization charts and delegations of authority, to ensure
adequate staffing.
Proof of indemnification, including public liability
insurance that co-names the Government as co-insured.
Reporting Requirements
Annual financial reports providing concessioner financial
information, as required by each concession contract.
Quarterly and annual progress reports to monitor
performance.
Inspections and inspection reports conducted in concert
with the on-site concession manager.
Approval To Sell or Transfer Concession Operation
Information to assess the transferee's ability to manage
the business successfully and fulfill the terms of the concession
contract, in order for the Regional Director to grant approval.
Recordkeeping Requirements
In accordance with Service Manual chapter 630 FW 8.3, a
concessioner (and any subconcessioner) must keep and make available to
the Service records for the term of the concession contract.
Title of Collection: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Concessions.
OMB Control Number: 1018-New.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Existing collection in use without an OMB control
number.
Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses and nonprofit
organizations.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion for proposals, amendments, and
appeals; annually for financial reports; and ongoing for recordkeeping.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $70,000.
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Completion
Total annual time per Total annual
Activity responses response burden hours *
(hours)
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General Concessionaire Information:
Inspection form............................................. 80 3 240
Proposal for Concessions Opportunities:
[[Page 33195]]
Large Concessions........................................... 2 40 80
Small Concessions........................................... 1 16 16
Reporting Requirements:
Annual Financial Report..................................... 10 16 160
Quarterly Progress Report................................... 3 4 12
Annual Progress Report...................................... 10 16 160
Approval to Sell/Transfer A Concession Operation................ 1 8 8
Recordkeeping Requirements:
Large Concessions........................................... 5 40 200
Small Concessions........................................... 5 20 100
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Totals.................................................. 117 .............. 976
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An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Dated: May 27, 2020.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11672 Filed 5-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P