Review of National Park Service Concession Management

GAO reviewed the management of concession facilities by the National Park Service.

Several reports prepared by the National Park Service have pointed out that severe fire, safety, and structural deficiencies exist in some of the concessioner-operated facilities at Yellowstone National Park. One report states that the deficiencies found at the lodges, each of which have the capability to house about 1,000 persons, endanger the life safety of visitors and employees. The superintendent at the Park stated that he has corrected some of the problems noted in the reports, but that he has decided to allow the concessioner to continue operations regardless of the uncorrected fire and safety problems. An independent inspection conducted by GAO confirmed the existence and seriousness of the deficiencies cited in the National Park Service reports. Therefore, the National Park Service should take action necessary to correct the fire and safety deficiencies that exist at Yellowstone National Park.