Federal Land: Little Progress Made in Improving Oversight of Concessioners

GAO discussed government policies and practices for managing recreation concessioners on federal land, focusing on: (1) the progress of federal agencies in improving concessions management; and (2) the need for effective concessioner management to sustain natural resources for future generations. GAO noted that: (1) federal agencies lack complete and centralized data to effectively manage concessioners; (2) the agencies have only developed initial plans for upgrading information resources; (3) the agencies are not obtaining a fair return from concessioners; (4) the Park Service has not developed a system to value non-fee compensation from concessioners or determined what types of non-fee compensation are appropriate; (5) the Bureau of Reclamation has not revised its guidance on compensation for federal land use; (6) concession policies need revision, particularly regarding concessioners' possessory interest and preferential right of contract renewal; and (7) the agencies need to receive revenue from concession fees to maintain recreational facilities.