[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 20832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9588]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of Approved Director's Orders 53, the 
Revised Guidance for All Special Park Uses in Units of the National 
Park Service

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Public notice of approved policy statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces approval of 
Director's Order #53, the revised guidance document for all special 
park uses in National Park. This Director's Order was developed to 
provide policy guidance to NPS managers who deal with requests for 
special park uses including but not limited to special events, utility 
rights-of-way including those for telecommunication antenna sites, 
commercial filming and photography, and other uses. This material will 
appear as Director's Order #53, Special Park Uses, and be distributed 
to all NPS units. This document provides policy and procedures to park 
managers concerning all aspects of requests for special uses in the 
National Park System, from the initial contact, through review and 
approval of permits, on-scene protection of resources, and ending with 
complete recovery and restoration of the site. This document supersedes 
and replaces the existing NPS-53, as well as Director's Order 53A 
dealing only with telecommunications, and consists of a concise 
treatment of the entire subject of special park uses.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 12, 1999, the NPS published a 
notice in the Federal Register (64 FR 55309) that draft Director's 
Order #53 was available for public review and asking for comment. The 
NPS received a total of two responses to that notice. These comments 
and the NPS responses are as follows:

Analysis of Comments

    Comment: One respondent objected to use by the NPS of condition 
number 8 on the existing, pre-printed Special Use Permit form as being 
inapplicable in most circumstances. Condition number 8 dealt with 
required compliance with Executive Order 11246, equal opportunity 
compliance.
    Response: The NPS agrees that compliance with Executive Order 11246 
should not be required of Special Use Permit holders and is taking 
steps to remove that section from the pre-printed special use permit 
form.
    Comment: One respondent, commenting on the proposed policy section 
dealing with Native American Rights, pointed out the existence of 
additional authorities over and above what the proposed policy section 
had already cited.
    Response: The NPS agrees and has added the additional authorities 
suggested. The final Director's Order was approved on April 4, 2000. An 
electronic copy of the approved order may be viewed and downloaded from 
the internet at URL www.nps.gov/refdesk/DOrders/index.htm, or a copy 
may be obtained by writing: National Park Service, Ranger Activity 
Division, 1849 C St. NW, Suite 7408, Washington, DC 20240, or by 
calling 202-208-4874.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This policy document is in effect from the date of 
approval by the Director, National Park Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dick Young at 757-898-7846, or 757-
898-3400, ext. 51.

    Dated: April 7, 2000.
Chris Andress,
Chief, Ranger Activities Division.
[FR Doc. 00-9588 Filed 4-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M