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COMMENTS ON DRAFT YOSEMITE VALLEY PLAN |
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by Jonathon S. Feinstein
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University © 1998 ISBN 0-538-86933-X Case Teaching Package A case teaching package is available for this case. It includes strategies for case presentation, key concepts, solutions to the assignment questions in the case, and suggestions for the most effective ways to work this case into your course. Length This case is 18 pages in length and its case teaching package is 4 pages. Abstract This case outlines the controversy surrounding the management of concessions at Yosemite National Park, and asks students to design an appropriate concessions arrangement. Should the concessions be run by a for-profit concessionaire, as in the past, a not-for-profit, or the National Park Service itself? If the concessions are operated by a for-profit or not-for-profit, how should the concessions contract be structured, and how should the National Park Service go about overseeing (regulating) the concessionaire's behavior? The case presents arguments made by a wide range of participants in the public debate over Yosemite, addressing these and other related issues. Linkages to Textbooks or Journal Articles/Fit Within a Course The case fits naturally either into a course on public sector economics and regulation or a course on environmental management. Readings are cited throughout the case. Two particularly interesting readings are Alston Chase, Playing God at Yellowstone, and Alfred Runte, Yosemite: The Embattled Wilderness. Study Questions How should the new contract be awarded? In particular, which of the following options do you favor: a) renew the existing contract with the Curry Company; b) hold an auction, opening the bidding to other organizations; or c) have the National Park Service run the concession itself? If an auction is held, should the bidding be open to both for-profits and non-profits, or restricted to non-profits, and what sort of restrictions should be placed on bidders, for example related to a minimum level of resources? Supposing the government does put the concessions out for bid, state the terms the government should offer on the new contract. In particular, how long a time period should the contract cover, what should the contract specify regarding implementation of the General Management Plan, and how should revenues from the concessions operation be distributed? Supposing the Government chooses to let the
concessions to either a for- or non-profit, what sort of regulatory
structure should be created? Who should serve on a regulatory board? How
should the Board go about overseeing the concessionaire's behavior?
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