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Local leaders tell subcommittee that lease-extension authority would protect public‑private investments in parks
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Summary
HR 4931 would let DOI/NPS extend park leases after five years when in the public interest, supporters said, citing the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center as a model that requires lease certainty to attract private investment; questions focused on preserving NPS oversight while giving flexibility.
At the Nov. 30 hearing, supporters of H.R. 4931, the National Park System Long Term Lease Investment Act, described the bill as a targeted change to allow the Secretary of the Interior, through the NPS director, to extend existing leases after they have been in place at least five years if an extension serves the park’s interest.
Representative Don Murphy (sponsor) and Bob Woodard, chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, said lease certainty encourages private capital investment in facilities that serve visitors and local economies. Woodard used the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center within Cape Hatteras National Seashore as an example of a partnership where the lessee has invested millions and would be disadvantaged by forced rebidding.
Witnesses and members emphasized HR 4931 does not require extensions and retains NPS discretion. Questions centered on preserving public-interest oversight, ensuring competitive processes when appropriate, and preventing unfair advantages. DOI provided written testimony on the bill but did not supply a separate in-person witness for HR 4931 at this hearing.
No committee action or vote was taken; members said they would follow up in the record.
