National Park Service, AKSO, 2525 Gambell St., Rm 107, Anchorage, AK 99503

M -- OPPORTUNITY TO OPERATE HUNTING GUIDE SERVICE SOL n/a POC Vicki Snitzler 907/822-5238 Public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to award 17 concession permits authorizing the operation of sport hunting guide-outfitter services for the public at Wrangell St. Elias National Preserve, Alaska for a period of five years from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2002. Currently there are sixteen concessioners providing the services described in the prospectus. One permit is for a hunt area for which there is no current operator. Interested parties should contact the Superintendent, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Presereve, P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, Alaska 99573 or by calling (907)822-5234 for a copy of the prospectus. These permits have been determined to be categorically excluded for the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and no environmental document will be prepared. The 16 existing concessioners have performed their obligations to the satisfaction of the Secretary under existing permits which expire by limitation of time on December 31, 1997, and therefore pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Act of October 9, 1965 (16 U.S.C. 20), are entitled to be given preference in the renewal of the permit, providing that the existing concessioners submit a responsive offer (a timely offer which meets the terms and conditions of the Prospectus). This means that the permit will be awarded to the party submitting the best offer, provided that if the best offer was not submitted by an existing concessioner, then the existing concessioner will be afforded the opportunity to match the best offer. If the existing concession agrees to match the best offer, then the permit will be awarded to the existing concessioner. If the existing concessioner does not submit a responsive offer, the right of preference in renewal shall be considered to have been waived, and the permit will then be awarded to the party that has submiutted the best responsive offer. The Secretary will consider and evaluate all offers received as a a result of this notice. There is no incumbent concessioner for the 17th permit, and accordingly, no preference will be awarded to an applicant for this guide area. Any offer, including that of the existing concessioner, must be received by not later than on or before the sixtieth (60th) day following publication of this notice to be considered and evaluated. Applications are to be mailed to Superintendendt, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, AK 99573. Inquires to this proposed operation may be made to Vicki Snitzler. (0308)

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