Preserving Yosemite

The Times’ article (Part A, Jan. 20) on the relationship of concessioner income to fees paid at Yosemite has brought to the public’s attention a subject which is currently under intensive review here at the Department of the Interior.

Shortly after becoming secretary, I began to receive inquiries on the role of concessioners in parks and other Interior facilities and whether the fees they pay are fair and equitable. Several months ago, I asked the National Park Service to conduct a full-scale review of its concession operation. When that review is completed we will be in a much better position to make judgments and, if necessary, changes in our concessions operations.

I am determined that concessioners will pay a fair share of their profits to help protect the parks that are the reason for their existence and which, in many cases, provide them with a near monopoly on guest services in the park area. This is a very complicated issue which involves many different laws and many contracts and precedents, but I am confident we can give the public the assurance it seeks that concession fees will provide an equitable return to the national parks.

MANUEL LUJAN JR.

Secretary of the Interior

Washington, D.C.