a sole proprietorship, or a corporation may dissolve. In any of these cases, the concession contract or permit must be assigned or the old one cancelled and a new document entered into. Previous instructions concerning concession permits have stated that such permits should not be assigned. However, with the enactment of Public Law 89-249 calling for publication before a new permit can be issued, it is now acceptable policy to assign permits. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE Mr. RONALD H. WALKER, We have confirmed that there has been a great deal of such correspondence, etc., between NPS officials and employees, such as the Associate Director, Park System Management; Assistant Director, Interpretation: Assistant Director, Technical Consultant; Chief Park Ranger at Yosemite; Chief, Visitor Services at Yosemite; and yourself; and between NPS officials and MCA and Universal officials. These materials are located in NPS files in Yosemite (including those maintained by Ms. Edna Goode), San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. We therefore request that you provide to us by December 20, 1974: (a) A copy of all such correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, etc., in NPS files; (b) A copy of the NPS agreement with Shasta Helicopters, Inc., for the use of helicopters at Yosemite Park, and all correspondence relating thereto; (c) A copy of the NPS agreement, and all related correspondence, etc., with Universal Studios for the use of helicopters by Universal in Yosemite. Sincerely, HENRY S. REUSS, Chairman, Conservation and Natural Resources Subcommittee. Hon. HENRY S. REUSS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Washington, D.C., December 12, 1974. Chairman. Conservation and Natural Resources Subcommittee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. REUSS: The enclosed information on utilities furnished the Yosemite Park and Curry Company, by the National Park Service, from July, 1973 through June, 1974, is provided pursuant to Mr. Dave Finnegan's telephone request of December 6. If further information on this matter is required, please feel free to contact this office. Sincerely yours, Enclosure. JOHN E. COOK. UTILITIES FURNISHED THE YOSEMITE PARK & CURRY CO. BY N.P.S. JULY 1973 THROUGH JUNE 1974 1 The charge for sewage is based on the consumption of water, which is metered. Up until March 1974 the charge for water and sewage was computed on the basis of a combined rate; since March sewage is being computed and billed separately. 2 Electricity is metered, and rates are based on Pacific, Gas & Electric's rates for Northern California communities, including Fresno. 3 Dumpster loads are tallied by the drivers who pick up solid waste, and these tallies are converted to cubic yards. In February 1974 the rate was reduced from $3.10 per cubic yard to $1.65 per cubic yard. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE Mr. RONALD H. WALKER, Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, DEAR MR. WALKER: We understand that your agency is negotiating with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the conveyance to P G and E of the Government's hydroelectric plant facilities at the El Portal area in Yosemite National Park in California. We request that you provide to us by January 6, 1975 the following: (a) A map showing the location of the facilities including their relationship to the park boundaries and the El Portal administrative site; (b) All correspondence, memoranda, studies, notes, etc., concerning the proposed sale; (c) A statement (i) describing the facilities to be sold, and (ii) setting forth to what extent these facilities are currently being used, or are capable of being used, by the NPS, the condition of the facilities, and the NPS's annual cost of operating them; (d) An explanation as to why the NPS believes that such a sale would be beneficial to the United States; (e) The estimated market value of these facilities; (f) The amount to be paid by P G and E for the facilities; (g) Whether or not the proceeds of the sale would be available for NPS use, or deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts; or, if otherwise disposed of, how they would be handled; (h) Whether or not an environmental impact statement has been or will be prepared prior to such sale; (i) The specific statutory authority enabling the NPS to make such sale, or conveyance, or other disposition (e.g. easement, permit, etc.), particularly in view of the Act of March 3, 1921 (41 Stat. 1353, 16 USC 797a); (j) Why the sale is being negotiated prior to completion of the master plan and development planning concept; (k) The amount of power generated by these facilities in fiscal years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975; (1) The identity of all persons or organizations, other than the National Park Service, receiving this power, and the rates charged by the NPS to such persons and organizations (showing demand and energy charges as well as total revenues) for such power in fiscal years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975; (m) The current status of the negotiations. Sincerely, HENRY S. REUSS, Chairman, Conservation and Natural Resources Subcommittee. Hon. WILLIAM S. MOORHEAD, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Washington, D.C., February 28, 1975. Chairman, Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Natural Resources, Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. MOORHEAD: This is in response to an inquiry from former Subcommittee Chairman Reuss regarding aiscussion between Yosemite National Park and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for the sale of the Yosemite Hydroelectric Plant. We apologize for this late reply. Discussions with PG&E began September 5, 1968, and terminated early in 1972. There was no action taken, and the matter was dropped because the PG&E proposal would eliminate the hydroelectric plant and instead would transmit electrical power from generating stations in the Merced, California, area. The unfortunate result would have been to replace pollution-free hydroelectric power with power from sources requiring the consumption of more than 12 million pounds of fossil fuels. The discussions with PG&E were reopened in 1973 at the park's request and predicated on the hydroelectric plant remaining in operation-modernized and automated. The matter was formally dropped December 2, 1974. The park does not intend to reopen discussions in this matter in the foreseeable future. We are answering Mr. Reuss' questions in the order and format of his December 13, 1974, letter: (a) A park map is enclosed showing the dam and hydroelectric generating station locations. (b) Copies of correspondence are enclosed beginning with the most recent which is the December 2, 1974, letter to PG&E terminating all discussions in the matter. (c) A copy of the "Report of the Appraisal Board on the Fair Evaluation of the National Park Service Power Distribution and Street Lighting Systems in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park" is enclosed answering this question in detail except (ii). All items on the inventory were in use and proposed for sale. The annual operating cost for fiscal year 1974 of this facility is $324,979.49. (d) The answer to this question is detailed in the "Study of Alternates for the Future of the Yosemite Valley Electrical Generation and Distribution System," Ralph R. McFadden, November 11, 1971. A copy is enclosed. (e) The 1969 appraised value of the electrical system is $628,096. This excludes the hydroelectric plant, switch yard, penstock and dam for which we do not have an appraised value. (f) Not less than $628,096; however, final negotiations were never completed. (g) The proceeds of the sale in the amount of $628,096 would have been paid to general receipts. In addition, PG&E would have been obliged to install standby generators as a "second" power source amounting to $667,000 and to bring critical portions of the primary system up to standard costing $266,530. (h) The need for an environmental impact statement was established in November 1971, "Ralph R. McFadden Study of Alternatives, etc." and would have been prepared had negotiations for the sale proceeded. (i) The statutory authority enabling the National Park Service to make such a sale is 16 USC § lb (6). (j) The idea of considering alternates for improvements to the hydroelectric system ocurred after the 1962 "Review of Power Operations Report" by E. W. Watkins (enclosed) whereby the unnecessary administrative expense and complexity of continued Government involvement in electrical power generation, distribution, and sale became most evident. This was prior to the master planning process which began in 1968. (k) Power generated by these facilities: Fiscal Year 1972: 15,247,719 KWH Fiscal Year 1974: 13,580,462 KWH Fiscal Year 1975: 6,750,536 KWH (to December 15, 1974) (1) Please see enclosure. (m) All negotiations have stopped. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance in this matter. Enclosures. GARY EVERHARDT, Director. [NOTE. The materials transmitted with the above letter which are not printed at this point are in the subcommittees' files.] In answer to the questions asked in paragraph (1). Attached are revenues for fiscal year 1974 and one-half of fiscal year 1975 which have been taken from actual reports on hand and do not include power purchased from P. G. & E. and redistributed to two trailer courts. Revenues for fiscal years 1972 and 1973 have been adjusted based upon fiscal year 1974 actual. ratio of power purchased from P. G. & E. for the two trailer courts, to gross revenues. 2.7% has been subtracted from gross revenues to reflect only revenues from operation of the Valley Power Plant and distribution system during periods of low water and breakdowns, power is purchased from P. G. & E. and distributed through the Valley distribution system. Revenue from such re-sale is included in the attached revenue report. Current National Park Service rate schedules are attached. Rate schedules for fiscal years 1972, 1973, and 1974 in part are P. G. & E. 1968 rates. (Current National Park Service rates are the same as P. G. & E. rates for Fresno, and vicinity for fiscal year 1975.) In November 1973, a review of the rate structure was conducted by the National Park Service, Washington Office of Quarters, Permits and Utilities Appraisal, and current P. G. & E. rates were adopted to become effective February 15, 1974. Since that date under new guidelines, we have increased our rates as P. G. & E. rate increases are approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. A current list of National Park Service Employees and all other persons and organizations receiving electrical power is attached. Identification of all persons or organizations, other than the National Park Service, receiving or that have received electrical power for the fiscal years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975. P.G. & E. Co., Ansel Adams Gallery, Best's Studio, Inc.; John Chavez-School Principal. Degnan & Donohoe Company, Roland Ele, Wells Fargo Bank Manager; R. G. Fries, Pacific Telephone Serviceman. Gunit Construction Company, Jasu Engineers, Inc., COAC Construction Co. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company, James E. Little, Pacific Telephone Serviceman. James Franey-Teacher, Pauline Trabucco-Teacher, Mariposa Unified School District. Merced Irrigation District. Bruce Price-School Bus Driver. Yosemite Institute, Don Rees-Director, Yosemite Institute. Sierra Club. Isabel Tinning-School Teacher. U.S. Post Office. Wells Fargo Bank. Yosemite National Park Employees in Valley Housing receiving electrical power for the fiscal years 1974 and 1975. Some names have changed since fiscal year 1972 and 1973; however, the residences served are the same. REPORT OF THE APPRAISAL BOARD ON THE FAIR EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE POWER DISTRIBUTION AND STREET LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN YOSEMITE VALLEY, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK In accordance with the instructions in the National Park Service Order FO-113-54, an Appraisal Board met in Yosemite Valley August 26-29, 1969 to establish a fair evaluation of the entire Government-owned power distribution and street lighting systems in Yosemite Valley, which the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, hereafter referred to as the Power Company, proposes to acquire. This Board was appointed by the Regional Director, Western Region, National Park Service, on July 14, 1969, and consists of the following persons designated to serve thereon: Chairman-Lloyd W. Seasholtz, Electrical Engineer, Western Region. Member-Albert Burdulis, Commercial Department, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Francisco. Member-Herman Allcock, Park Engineer, Yosemite National Park. Certain portions of the secondary distribution system are owned by the National Park Service concessioners. The appraisal of this Board concerns only |