The National Park Service (NPS) has released a prospectus soliciting proposals from businesses interested in providing guided saddle and pack stock trips in Yellowstone National Park.
The NPS plans to award up to 42 new concession contracts. Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. March 17, 2015. The NPS anticipates awarding the ten-year contacts in fall 2015 with an effective date of January 1, 2016. Each contract has a preferred offeror, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office.
The new contracts implement the August 2014 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the issuance of the new contracts for commercial saddle and pack stock use. In order to protect resources and ensure visitor safety and enjoyment, the FONSI describes a variety of changes in how the park will administer commercial stock use. These include a day-ride reservation system, temporary trail closures and restrictions, and a monitoring-based management strategy to allow park managers to implement other management options as necessary.
An electronic copy of the prospectus and additional information are available online at http://concessions.nps.gov/prospectuses.htm.