Chellie Pingree: “I appreciate my colleague's invitation for us all to come visit. I am sure it is a wonderful place. And, of course…”

“I appreciate my colleague's invitation for us all to come visit. I am sure it is a wonderful place. And, of course, being from Maine, we like anything that has the word crab in the title. Unfortunately, this amendment blocks the National Park Service from complying with the 1998 Concessions Act, which sets up the framework for evaluating commercial services and parks. It stops the Park Service from being able to complete its existing process to remain in compliance with the Act. The amendment would effectively grandfather in all permit holders from the prior year, regardless of whether the services are necessary and appropriate. The amendment also limits the National Park Service's ability to ensure public safety of commercial services. Currently, all vendors undergo public health, fire, and permit condition inspections throughout an operating season. These inspections have documented significant concerns such as food being cooked, held, or served at temperatures or conditions that do not meet public health standards; refueling processes that place workers and patrons at risk; lack of basic safety, and fire protection; and operating in violation of permit conditions. The amendment eliminates the ability to manage the issuance of a permit based on current or past performance, which creates conditions that place workers, visitors, and park resources at risk from some commercial services. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. Mr.…”