The National Park Service is seeking public comment on an Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluates the proposed issuance of concession contracts for guided, interpretive saddle and pack stock tours in Yellowstone National Park. 

Currently, the park has 44 contracts for guided saddle and pack stock tours.  The existing 10-year contracts are set to expire in December, 2013, but have been extended for one year to December, 2014, in order to complete this EA.
This EA analyzes three alternatives: Alternative A (No Action) – Current contracts would expire on December 31, 2014, and no new contracts would be issued;  Alternative B -- Issue up to 44 concessions contracts 10 years in length for saddle and pack stock tours with no change in current management actions or resource monitoring; and Alternative C -- Issue up to 44 concessions contracts for saddle and pack stock and provide for increased resource monitoring and greater management flexibility to respond to resource impacts. Term of the contracts may also be shorter than 10 years. Alternative C is the NPS’ preferred alternative. Comments must be received by midnight MDT, Monday, December 9, 2013.

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