A new company is looking to run operations in Crater Lake National Park.

Park officials announced Monday that ExplorUS, a Kansas-based hospitality company, intends to take over the concessions contract at Crater Lake, which is currently held by Crater Lake Hospitality, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Aramark.

Aramark faces a litany of serious accusations around its management of the park since 2018, including unsafe housing conditions, environmental hazards and public health code violations. In February, the National Park Service announced its intention to terminate the contract, which was set to end in 2030.

An investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive, which analyzed 224 pages of federal reports and interviewed 15 former employees, showed years of systemic issues leading up to the contract dispute.

Now, it appears that Aramark plans to transfer its contract to ExplorUS, instead of the National Park Service awarding a new, temporary contract to a company of its choosing.

ExplorUS said in a news release Monday that the company has signed a “definitive letter of intent” to take over the contract from Aramark’s subsidiary, but offered no other information about the deal. CEO Frank Pikus said the company is “committed to working with the National Park Service to enhance and protect the visitor experience.”

Scott Clemans, a regional spokesperson for the National Park Service, said the agency must give written approval before Aramark can complete the transfer.

“This process will take a few weeks, so we do not have any details to share at this time,” Clemans said in an email Monday. “Director Chuck Sams has been committed to ensuring no lapse in visitor services, and appreciates the efforts of all involved in working toward this.”

Clemans indicated the arrangement would spell the end of Aramark’s tenure at the Oregon landmark.

“If the proposed assignment is approved by the NPS, this will end Crater Lake Hospitality’s presence at Crater Lake,” he said.

Sen. Ron Wyden, who has issued two public letters to the National Park Service on the issues at Crater Lake, thanked the agency Monday for taking steps to finding a new concessioner.

“It is clear as Crater Lake that from the beginning the National Park Service took my concerns seriously and worked swiftly to put this world-renowned Oregon natural treasure on the path to better concessionaire management that protects the resource and everyone it touches,” Wyden said in a statement Monday.

According to the company, ExplorUS runs hospitality operations at more than 50 locations across the U.S., including Muir Woods in California, Acadia National Park in Maine and Carslbad Caverns in New Mexico. It also operates in state parks, national forests and other outdoor recreation areas, including campgrounds in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

ExplorUS plans to transition all current Crater Lake Hospitality employees to the company, and intends to offer all visitor services this summer, it announced Monday. The company also intends to honor all reservations and deposits for future stays.

“The opportunity at Crater Lake National Park is a perfect match with our capabilities and expertise,” Pikus said. “We are dedicated to providing an excellent experience at the country’s fifth-oldest national park and we look forward to the opening of the 2024 season in May.”

Information about available park services will be posted online at nps.gov/crla.