Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Concessions, 88-90 [2023-28829]
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88
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 2, 2024 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–HQ–NWRS–2023–N103;
FXRS12630900000–245–FF09R81000; OMB
Control Number 1018–0181]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget; U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Concessions
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), are proposing to renew an
information collection without change.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before February
1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be
submitted within 30 days of publication
of this notice at https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find this particular information
collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function. Please
provide a copy of your comments to the
Service Information Collection
Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W),
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22041–3803 (mail); or by email to Info_
Coll@fws.gov. Please reference ‘‘1018–
0181’’ in the subject line of your
comments.
SUMMARY:
To
request additional information about
this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum,
Service Information Collection
Clearance Officer, by email at Info_
Coll@fws.gov, or by telephone at (703)
358–2503. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of
hearing, or have a speech disability may
dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to
access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services
offered within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we
provide the general public and other
Federal agencies with an opportunity to
comment on new, proposed, revised,
and continuing collections of
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Dec 29, 2023
Jkt 262001
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.
On June 30, 2023, we published in the
Federal Register (88 FR 42382) a notice
of our intent to request that OMB
approve this information collection. In
that notice, we solicited comments for
60 days, ending on August 29, 2023. In
an effort to increase public awareness
of, and participation in, our public
commenting processes associated with
information collection requests, the
Service also published the Federal
Register notice on Regulations.gov
(Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2023–
0098) to provide the public with an
additional method to submit comments.
We did not receive any comments in
response to that notice.
As part of our continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again soliciting
comments from the public and other
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR
that is described below. 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. 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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 Administration 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 wildlifedependent recreational uses as the
priority general public uses of the
System, through which the American
public can develop an appreciation for
fish and wildlife;
b. Ensure that opportunities are
provided within the System for
E:\FR\FM\02JAN1.SGM
02JAN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 2, 2024 / Notices
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
organizations 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
(section 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 services.
Service Manual chapters 630 FW 6–8
discuss the Service’s current policy for
concession management and provide
guidance for permitting and
administering concessions operations
on Service lands. We use concessions
contracts to assist us in providing
wildlife-dependent recreation activities
to the visiting public by using contracts
between the Service and private entities,
where each private entity is allowed to
charge a fee for services provided at a
field station to the visiting public.
We collect information in a narrative
(non-form) format. Details concerning
the specific information required are
contained in 50 CFR 25.61 and the
recently updated Service Manual
chapters available to the public on the
Service’s website at https://
www.fws.gov/policy/manuals/part.cfm?
series=600&seriestitle=LAND%20
USE%20AND%20MANAGEMENT%
20SERIES. The amount of information
or degree of detail requested varies
widely, depending upon the size and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Dec 29, 2023
Jkt 262001
89
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.
• 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.
General Concessionaire Information
• 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.
• 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Reporting Requirements
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: 1018–0181.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Private
sector (profit 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;
quarterly for progress reports; and
ongoing for recordkeeping.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour
Burden Cost: $69,900 (associated with
administrative overhead, as well as
costs associated with the development
of proposals in response to concessions
opportunities).
E:\FR\FM\02JAN1.SGM
02JAN1
90
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 2, 2024 / Notices
Average
number of
annual
respondents
Requirement
Approval to Sell/Transfer A Concession Operation .............
General Concessionaire Information—Inspection Form ......
Proposal for Concessions Opportunities—Large Concessions .................................................................................
Proposal for Concessions Opportunities—Small Concessions .................................................................................
Recordkeeping Requirements—Large Concession .............
Recordkeeping Requirements—Small Concession .............
Reporting Requirements—Annual Financial Report ............
Reporting Requirements—Annual Progress Report ............
Reporting Requirements—Quarterly Progress Report ........
Totals ............................................................................
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.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–28829 Filed 12–29–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation Nos. 701–TA–684 and 731–
TA–1597 (Final)]
Gas Powered Pressure Washers From
China; Supplemental Schedule for
Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and
Antidumping Duty Investigations
United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
DATES:
December 21, 2023.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nitin Joshi ((202) 708–1669), Office of
Investigations, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, DC 20436. Hearingimpaired persons can obtain
information on this matter by contacting
the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202–
205–1810. Persons with mobility
impairments who will need special
assistance in gaining access to the
Commission should contact the Office
of the Secretary at 202–205–2000.
General information concerning the
Commission may also be obtained by
accessing its internet server (https://
www.usitc.gov). The public record for
these investigations may be viewed on
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Dec 29, 2023
Jkt 262001
Average
number of
responses
each
Frm 00048
Fmt 4703
Estimated
annual
burden
hours *
1
80
1
1
1
80
8
8
8
640
3
2
6
40
240
3
5
5
10
10
3
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
5
5
10
10
12
16
40
20
16
16
4
48
200
100
160
160
48
120
........................
132
........................
1,604
the Commission’s electronic docket
(EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective
June 8, 2023, the Commission
established a general schedule for the
conduct of the final phase of its
countervailing duty and antidumping
duty investigations on gas powered
pressure washers from China and
Vietnam (88 FR 40865, June 22, 2023),
following preliminary determinations
by the U.S. Department of Commerce
(‘‘Commerce’’) that imports of gas
powered pressure washers from China
were being subsidized by the
government of China (88 FR 36531, June
5, 2023) and that imports of gas
powered pressure washers from
Vietnam are being sold in the United
States at less than fair value (88 FR
39221, June 15, 2023). Subsequently, on
August 3, 2023, Commerce issued a
preliminary affirmative antidumping
duty determination with respect to gas
powered pressure washers from China
(88 FR 51279). Notice of the scheduling
of the final phase of the Commission’s
investigations and of a public hearing
held in connection therewith was given
by posting copies of the notice in the
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission,
Washington, DC, and by publishing the
notice in the Federal Register on June
22, 2023 (88 FR 40865). All persons who
requested the opportunity were
permitted to participate.
Commerce issued a final affirmative
antidumping duty determination with
respect to gas powered pressure washers
from Vietnam (88 FR 59503, August 29,
2023). The Commission subsequently
issued its final determination that an
industry in the United States was
materially injured by reason of imports
of gas powered pressure washers from
Vietnam provided for in subheadings
8424.30.90 and 8424.90.90 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
PO 00000
Average
completion
time per
response
(hours)
Average
number of
annual
responses
Sfmt 4703
United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) that have been
found by Commerce to be sold in the
United States at less than fair value (88
FR 71885, October 18, 2023).
Commerce has issued a final
affirmative antidumping duty
determination (88 FR 88365, December
21, 2023) and a final affirmative
countervailing duty determination (88
FR 88578, December 22, 2023) with
respect to gas powered pressure washers
from China. Accordingly, the
Commission currently is issuing a
supplemental schedule for its
countervailing duty and antidumping
duty investigations on imports of gas
powered pressure washers from China.
This supplemental schedule is as
follows: the deadline for filing
supplemental party comments on
Commerce’s final countervailing duty
and antidumping duty determinations is
5:15 p.m. on January 5, 2024.
Supplemental party comments may
address only Commerce’s final
countervailing duty and antidumping
duty determinations regarding imports
of gas powered pressure washers from
China. These supplemental final
comments may not contain new factual
information and may not exceed five (5)
pages in length. The supplemental staff
report in the final phase of the current
investigations will be placed in the
nonpublic record on January 17, 2024,
and a public version will be issued
thereafter.
For further information concerning
this proceeding see the Commission’s
notice cited above and the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, part 201, subparts A and B
(19 CFR part 201), and part 207,
subparts A and C (19 CFR part 207).
Additional written submissions to the
Commission, including requests
pursuant to section 201.12 of the
Commission’s rules, shall not be
accepted unless good cause is shown for
E:\FR\FM\02JAN1.SGM
02JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88-90]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28829]
[[Page 88]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-N103; FXRS12630900000-245-FF09R81000; OMB Control
Number 1018-0181]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Concessions
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an
information collection without change.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
February 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be submitted within 30 days of
publication of this notice at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting
``Currently under Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the
search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803 (mail); or by email to [email protected]. Please reference ``1018-
0181'' in the subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we
provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an
opportunity 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.
On June 30, 2023, we published in the Federal Register (88 FR
42382) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this
information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60
days, ending on August 29, 2023. In an effort to increase public
awareness of, and participation in, our public commenting processes
associated with information collection requests, the Service also
published the Federal Register notice on Regulations.gov (Docket No.
FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0098) to provide the public with an additional method
to submit comments. We did not receive any comments in response to that
notice.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. 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. 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 Administration 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
public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife;
b. Ensure that opportunities are provided within the System for
[[Page 89]]
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 organizations 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 (section 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
services.
Service Manual chapters 630 FW 6-8 discuss the Service's current
policy for concession management and provide guidance for permitting
and administering concessions operations on Service lands. We use
concessions contracts to assist us in providing wildlife-dependent
recreation activities to the visiting public by using contracts between
the Service and private entities, where each private entity is allowed
to charge a fee for services provided at a field station to the
visiting public.
We collect information in a narrative (non-form) format. Details
concerning the specific information required are contained in 50 CFR
25.61 and the recently updated Service Manual chapters available to the
public on the Service's website at https://www.fws.gov/policy/manuals/part.cfm?series=600&seriestitle=LAND%20USE%20AND%20MANAGEMENT%20SERIES. 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: 1018-0181.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Private sector (profit 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; quarterly for progress
reports; and ongoing for recordkeeping.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $69,900 (associated
with administrative overhead, as well as costs associated with the
development of proposals in response to concessions opportunities).
[[Page 90]]
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Average
Average Average Average completion Estimated
Requirement number of number of number of time per annual burden
annual responses annual response hours *
respondents each responses (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approval to Sell/Transfer A 1 1 1 8 8
Concession Operation...........
General Concessionaire 80 1 80 8 640
Information--Inspection Form...
Proposal for Concessions 3 2 6 40 240
Opportunities--Large
Concessions....................
Proposal for Concessions 3 1 3 16 48
Opportunities--Small
Concessions....................
Recordkeeping Requirements-- 5 1 5 40 200
Large Concession...............
Recordkeeping Requirements-- 5 1 5 20 100
Small Concession...............
Reporting Requirements--Annual 10 1 10 16 160
Financial Report...............
Reporting Requirements--Annual 10 1 10 16 160
Progress Report................
Reporting Requirements-- 3 4 12 4 48
Quarterly Progress Report......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................... 120 .............. 132 .............. 1,604
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28829 Filed 12-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
