99--AVAILABILITY OF COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS WITHIN LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA.

Under the authority of Public Law 105-391 (Section 418) the National Park Service announces the limited availability of Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) within Lake Mead National Recreation Area for the following service: Scuba Dive Guiding (Overton B-29 Site), 2 CUAs to be issued following a competitive selection process based on resource protection, ability to operate safely and the ability to interact effectively with NPS staff. Once selection is made, and the 2 CUAs are authorized prior to diving on the site, all divers will be shown an orientation video (provided by NPS) giving historical background, outlining the dive and telling them what to expect. In addition, all divers will be required to fill out an individual dive permit. Each CUA Permit holder will also fill out a daily summary of diving activity. NPS will provide interpretive materials for the CUA holder to pass along to divers. NPS will also provide the CUA materials (site plan and NPS interpretive poster) in digital form that they can sell to divers. Each CUA holder will be allowed 100 client dives during their 12 month CUA permit. During that time the NPS will conduct periodic monitoring of the B-29 site and make an assessment of diver impact to the resource. Impact includes damage to the fabric control surfaces, damage to the aluminum skin of the aircraft, damage to any painted surface or markings, movement of loose objects and theft of materials from the plane. The following will guide future carrying capacity on the site, based upon assessed impact: ASSESSMENT: No discernable impact on the site. RESULT: NPS may double carrying capacity, reassess in 3 months. ASSESSMENT: Minor impact on the site (e.g. materials moved). RESULT: NPS may increase carrying capacity by 1/3, reassess in 3 months. ASSESSMENT: Impact on the site (e.g. damage to fabric or aluminum skin of aircraft). RESULT: NPS may temporary halt in diving permits, reassess diving access and carrying capacity. ASSESSMENT: Major damage to the site (e.g. theft of materials from site or significant damage to aircraft). RESULT: NPS may close site to diving. General conditions include: (1) No more than one CUA per activity, will be issued to an applicant (inclusive of its individual owners and employees). However, Applicants can apply for and receive CUA's for more than one activity. (2) Each scuba dive guiding CUA is valid for 12 months (After periodic assessment is made, new limitations may be set or the CUA may be terminated.) All Lake Mead National Recreation Area CUA activities must begin and end outside of the Park boundary, are for the incidental use of park area resources, and may not authorize solicitation of customers, sales, or payment for commercial services to take place within the park area; all of these activities must occur outside of the park area. All applications must be received no later than close of business January 18, 2008 at 4:00 pm, to be eligible for the CUA. Applications will be ranked by experience and resource protection. Further CUA information and requirements may be obtained by contacting: Heidie Grigg, CUA Program Manager, (702)293-8923, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Concession Management Division, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, Nevada 89005.