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share of the profits from such operations, through the payment of 

 concession franchise fees. My bill is intended to achieve those 

 goals. 



H.R. 1954 is similar to legislation introduced in the 103rd 

 Congress by our colleague from Montana, Mr. Williams. Like H.R. 

 773 and H.R. 2028, it would amend the 1965 law under which the 

 National Park Service now awards and manages concession 

 contracts. It would provide that commercial sightseeing 

 operations over National Parks System units would have to have 

 been awarded a concession contract for such services. In 

 addition, the bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to 

 develop guidelines for deciding whether or not to award proposed 

 concession contracts for commercial sightseeing flights over 

 National Park System units, taking into consideration the laws, 

 policies, and plans that govern management of the parks. 



The increasing frequency of unrestricted commercial airborne 

 tourism in the national parks and the attendant impacts on the 

 experiences of other visitors and on park resources and values 

 helps make the case for the bills being considered today. The 

 need is clear. Concessions reform legislation that will allow 

 the National Park Service to properly manage all commercial 

 activities within National Park System units — including 

 commercial visitor services involving the use of aircraft — and 

 that will assure a proper return to the taxpayers from such 

 activities deserves our prompt attention. 



Again, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your courtesy in allowing this 

 statement to be included in the hearing record. 



o 



