National Park Service, Office of Concession Program Management, 600 Harrison Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, California 94107-1372

M -- NOTICE OF INTENTION TO EXTEND AN EXISTING CONCESSION CONTRACT - DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK The National Park Service intends to extend a concession contract which will expire on December 31, 1996, within Death Valley National Park for a period of two years. The current concessioner has preformed satisfactory and retain its right of preference pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Act of October 9, 1965. (79 Stat. 969; 16 U.S.C. 20 et esg) and 36 CFR 51.5, under this administrative action to extend the existing contract. This extension is necessary to allow the continuation of public services during the completion period of amending the General Management Plan and Site Plans for the park. The National Park Service will not renew this contract for an extended period until planning can be conducted to determine the future direction for concession services within Death Valley National Park. The necessary planning process will have a direct effect on the concession activities and services. The planning process is expected to be completed in two years. Until the planning process is completed, it will not be in the best interest of Death Valley National Park to enter into a long term concession contract. For these reasons, it is the intention of the National Park Service to extend the current contract for a period of two years beginning January 1, 1997. (281)

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