8 



Mr. Hansen. The one that Mr. Allard asked his question a mo- 

 ment ago which you seemed to support that concept over the other 

 two approaches. 



Mr. DUFFUS. Yes. I think Mr. Woodward did respond. I don't 

 know how much more I can add to his response. Possessory inter- 

 est is unique to the Park Service. The other five agencies do not 

 have possessory interest. Preferential right of renewal exists in the 

 Park Service and to some extent for small concessioners in the For- 

 est Service, and BLM uses it as well but administratively and not 

 by legislation. 



The terms of the concessions contracts are negotiated. Each of 

 the agencies allow field managers to negotiate different terms such 

 as length and fees and so forth. But the issue I think, as we said 

 before, was that similar concession operations on Federal lands 

 should be managed consistently. 



With respect to small outfitters and guides, the Forest Service 

 and BLM both charge a fee, three percent of gross revenues; where- 

 as, if that same outfitter operates on Park Service land, he would 

 pay a flat fee of $50 to $100. So it is those sorts of things that we 

 think the government would benefit from in having a consistent 

 policy with respect to concessioner management. 



Mr. Hansen. Thank you. The gentleman from Tennessee just 

 walked in. It would be unfair to ask you any questions, but if there 

 is something you are just dying to say to this group, here is your 

 chance. 



Mr. Duncan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have nothing. 



Mr. Hansen. Thank you, Mr. Duffus and your colleagues. We ap- 

 preciate you being with us and your excellent testimony. I would 

 appreciate it if you would take a copy of this comparison chart. I 

 would like to ask you a question or two about it later, but I will 

 call you if I need you on that if that is OK with you? 



Mr. Duffus. Yes. Thank you. 



Mr. Hansen. We have now been joined by our colleague from 

 Kansas, Jan Meyers. Jan, we are grateful to have you with us. We 

 appreciate you. Jan has shown a great interest in legislation in this 

 regard, introduced a bill last year, and also has a bill in front of 

 us at this time. If you would like to come forward, Jan, we appre- 

 ciate you being with us. 



STATEMENT OF HON. JAN MEYERS, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 



FROM KANSAS 



Mrs. Meyers. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for 

 hearing me this morning. I appreciate having the opportunity to 

 testify before you on Federal lands concession reform. 



The reason that I became so involved in this, Kansas does not 

 have parks, of course. I have three or four members in my district, 

 the 3rd district of Kansas, who have been members of the Parks 

 and Conservation Association Board of Directors, and one was 

 president last year. And over a period of the last many years, they 

 nave involved me, and I have become extremely interested. 



They think that improving the concessions reform policy will de- 

 velop more money for national parks, and they think and I think 

 that there is a way to do this so that we modernize this policy and 

 yet are fair to those who have concessions currently. 



