YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - The National Park Service has approved a new long-term plan to manage commercially guided saddle and pack stock trips in Yellowstone National Park.
Current saddle and pack stock contracts expire on Dec. 31, 2015.
The park plans to release a prospectus for new contracts sometime this fall, with up to 42 new contracts to be awarded to take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
Under the new management plan, saddle and pack stock operations will be subject to a new day-ride reservation system and temporary closures to address resource and safety concerns.
The park will also implement a new management strategy based on monitoring the impacts of commercial stock use on vegetation, water, wildlife, and other resources. It will recommend operational changes and mitigation measures to keep impacts an acceptable level.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.