Sawtooth National Forest Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Management Plan Scoping Proposed Action

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USDA - United States Department of Agriculture Sawtooth National Forest Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Management Plan Scoping Proposed Action

Forest Service Sawtooth National Forest April 2021

For More Information Contact:

Susan James Recreation Program Manager Sawtooth National Recreation Area Email: [email protected]

Cover Image: Mark Lisk

Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Management Plan

Introduction Providing recreational opportunities and facilities is central to the mission of the US Forest Service (Forest Service). For a variety of reasons, Forest visitors may desire, or need, facilitation to fully experience the array of recreation opportunities available. A recreational commercial service, also known as an outfitter and guide service, can help further the agency’s mission by providing escorted recreational experiences, specialized equipment, or both, to Forest visitors. While recreational commercial services constitute a relatively small segment of overall visitor days to National Forests, these services can achieve an important purpose for the visitor, the agency, the resources, and the economy. To be authorized to provide their services, federal regulations require that commercial outfitters and guides on National Forest lands obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) (36 CFR 251.50).

In 2020, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (NRA) completed an outfitter and guide needs assessment to assess the level of public and agency need for authorized outfitting or guiding activities. The needs assessment provides a framework for managers to prioritize expansion and authorization of outfitting and guiding where there is competitive interest and high demand. This prioritization ensures that both public and agency need are being met while continuing to provide a quality experience for guided and unguided visitors. Elements of public and agency need include the range of recreation opportunities for the area, resource conditions and resource management concerns, current outfitting and guiding activities, requests by proponents for new guided activities, non-commercial recreation use and opportunities, and agency management objectives.

This proposal is the next step in determining the appropriate level of recreational commercial services, in consideration with outfitter requests, public need, and resource concerns. This document describes the need for the project and the initial proposed action for the Sawtooth NRA Outfitter and Guide Management Plan. Purpose of the Project

Objective This Outfitter & Guide Management Plan (the Plan) is intended to guide future decisions concerning the authorization of land-based commercial outfitter and guide on the Sawtooth NRA. Due to extensive historical analysis and existing mitigations for anadromous fish, changes to river-based outfitter/guide activities will be considered through an independent process.

The Plan would provide the authorized officer with specific guidance for making decisions pertaining to outfitter and guide services. This will include:

1. Identifying the type, amount, and extent of commercial use within specific geographic compartments, including any applicable exceptions. 2. Identifying limitations (i.e. mitigations, terms, and conditions) that apply to specific activities within each geographic compartment. 3. Identifying indicators and thresholds for monitoring change. 4. Identifying monitoring protocols for assessing change.

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5. Developing direction for authorizing changes to existing activities. Such as proposals to increase service days and/or expand an operating area. 6. Developing direction for authorizing new activities. This project will address the requirements of existing direction and provide a means to systematically review and respond to proposals in a timely manner. It will provide programmatic direction, replacing and consolidating existing direction, for outfitter and guide proposals across the Sawtooth NRA.

The proposed action provides the implementation and management direction that prioritizes how the Sawtooth NRA will respond to requests for new or additional outfitter and guide services. This project is needed to provide clear and consistent direction for administration of the outfitter and guide program, as an aid in making decisions related to outfitter/guide services, to better facilitate timely responses to outfitter and guide requests, and to be compliant with national and forest plan direction.

Existing Condition In 2019, an environmental analysis was completed for land-based outfitter and guide special use permit renewals. The decision memo, signed July 9, 2019, identified a total allocation of service days for land-based outfitter and guides in the Sawtooth NRA of 20,369 service days. Table 1 shows the amount of services days allocated by season, as indicated in the 2019 decision, as well as authorized use administered by the Ketchum Ranger District.

Table 1: Total Seasonal Allocations for Outfitter and Guides on the Sawtooth NRA Season Total Allocated Days* Summer 15,816 Winter 7,835 *The sum of the seasonal allocations does not represent the total approved allocation, as some service days are counted in both summer and winter seasons.

The Sawtooth NRA completed an outfitter and guide needs assessment in 2020; the needs assessment provides a framework to prioritize the expansion and authorization of outfitting and guiding. Using the information from the supply and demand analysis, actual use analysis, need evaluation criteria, and recreational trend data, an overall needs assessment was made for wilderness and non-wilderness activities across the Sawtooth NRA.

As part of the needs assessment, the public and outfitters had the opportunity to respond to a series of questions, focused on the need for commercial services, concerns related to overall recreation including guiding, and the desire for new or more commercial services. Below is a condensed summary of the public comments:

• All respondents thought some level of recreational commercial services was necessary; though some said there is no capacity for additional outfitted use in the more popular recreation areas and seasons. • The majority of respondents indicated there was some level of crowding in specific locations within the Area. Most often mentioned were locations in the wilderness including Redfish, 4th of July, and Pettit Trailheads; Alice-Toxaway-Pettit loop; Sawtooth, Alice, and Redfish Lakes; and Galena Summit.

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• Additionally, respondents indicated that they had seen some level of impacts due to general recreation use at alpine lake campsites including human waste, trash, expansion of sites, bare ground, and excessive fire rings. It is important to note that crowding and impacts were not indicated to be excessive, nor directly related to commercial outfitter and guide services.

Need for the Project Currently, the Sawtooth NRA responds to new requests for outfitting and guiding on a case by case basis. Since 2019, a temporary use pool and policy has been in place for the Sawtooth NRA to respond to and streamline requests for temporary outfitter and guide use. However, the lack of a comprehensive plan for existing priority use outfitter and guides has resulted in the inconsistent application and approval of use on an annual basis.

Actual use has been steadily increasing in the last ten years, with a 115% increase in actual use from 2009 to 2018. Utilization rates (actual use reported compared to total authorized use) have also been increasing, from 45% utilization in 2009, to 96% utilization in 2018. Four activities have recorded utilization rates at or above 75% since 2016: boating, horseback riding, skiing, and snowmobiling. Data specific to the Sawtooth NRA from the National Visitor Use Monitoring survey, reported participation in “cross-country skiing,” which includes backcountry ski touring, increased from 20% in 2010, to 44% in 2015.

The lack of programmatic direction and managerial capacity has resulted in the inability to respond to requests in a timely manner; inconsistent approval of requests results in variability and perceived bias; the inability to process requests as a result of forest management direction (both wilderness plans in the Sawtooth NRA specify that no new permits may be issued without additional analysis); the lack of an integrated plan for desired recreation experience and provision of services across the Area; and lastly, the continued approval of service days well above authorized amounts without considering social or environmental effects.

There is a need on the Sawtooth NRA to provide clear and consistent direction for administration of the outfitter and guide program, plan for potential future growth to meet public need while being responsive to the recreation needs of the non-guided public and address resource concerns, and to better facilitate timely responses to outfitter and guide requests. The continuation of authorizing use well above that which has been allocated to existing outfitters, without analyzing and mitigating effects to the social and environmental resource conditions, may result in long term and irrevocable social and resource damage and is not in compliance with forest and area management direction.

Desired Condition The Sawtooth NRA Act, Public Law 92-400, was passed “...to assure the preservation and protection of the natural, scenic, historic, pastoral, and fish and wildlife values and to provide for the enhancement of the recreation values associated therewith…” (Sawtooth National Recreation Area Act, 1972). To this end, the 2012 Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan management area direction for the Sawtooth NRA includes the following:

Manage both federal and private lands to ensure the preservation and protection of the natural, scenic, historic, pastoral, and fish and wildlife values and to provide for the enhancement of the associated recreational values in accordance with Public Law 92-400.

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Specific to recreation, the desired condition comprises those recreation facilities, services, and activities that enhance the ability of visitors to experience, learn about, and enjoy the natural, scenic, historic, pastoral, and fish and wildlife features, and are available and accessible to all visitors that desire to participate. Outfitters and guides can play a critical role in helping the Forest achieve the desired conditions for recreation opportunities in the following areas: education and interpretation; protection of sensitive resources; building positive National Forest constituencies; fostering access to opportunities.

During the needs assessment process, a team of recreation, special use, and wilderness specialists developed evaluative criteria to assess agency and public need for outfitting and guiding services. The evaluative criteria ranking showed some activities had a higher need for commercial services. This includes overnight horseback trips, winter backcountry skiing and yurts, technical mountaineering, and river-based water sports. In Wilderness these activities include overnight horseback trips, guided hunting, technical mountaineering, and guided skiing from nearby permitted yurts. Additionally, there is a need to address the gap in opportunities for educational and stewardship activities, and services that focus on engaging youth and underserved communities.

As part of the needs assessment, a questionnaire was sent to the public and outfitters that included a series of questions focused on the need for commercial services, concerns related to overall recreation including guiding, and the desire for new or more commercial services. Several comments were received pertaining to management, including suggestions to require a permit system for overnight use in the backcountry (summer); increased regulation of, or daily quota for, guided backcountry skiing; a need for more on the ground enforcement of wilderness regulations. Outside of wilderness, there were proponents both for and against more opportunities for motorized use, OHV, and snowmobile.

While a need for commercial services may be identified for several activities, there may not be sufficient capacity to accommodate all of them. Capacity is the amount and type of visitor use that can be accommodated consistent with the desired conditions for all resources, as defined in the forest plan. This can be described as a social, developed site, or environmental capacity. There may be areas where social, facility or environmental limiting factors mean that additional use cannot be supported.

Project Area The project area for this proposal is all National Forest System (NFS) lands within the boundary of the Sawtooth NRA (Figure 1). Many outfitters are authorized for activities that extend past the project area, overlap other ranger districts, or even overlap with other National Forests. The proposed action is only proposing management direction for authorized activities within the boundary of the Sawtooth NRA. Decisions will not affect authorized activities outside the project area boundary but may be used as a reference for responding to proposals on adjacent public lands.

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Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Geographic Compartments

A 0 IO 20 I :390,000 Mi les

Geographic Compartments

Red Wildlife Areas of Concern C, Yellow U Project Area Boundary C, Green

Figure 1: Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Management Plan Project Area and Geographic Compartments

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Proposed Action The Sawtooth NRA is proposing to adopt a unit-wide, land-based outfitter and guide management plan as a means to streamline the processing of outfitter and guide proposals, to provide consistent implementation of outfitter and guide permits, and to provide a sustainable, wholistic, and long-term approach to the management of the outfitter and guide program on the Sawtooth NRA. Due to extensive historical analysis and existing mitigations for anadromous fish, changes to river-based outfitter and guide activities will be considered through an independent process.

The plan includes the development of a priority use pool of services days, reinforcing the existing temporary use pool, and provides direction for accepting and authorizing outfitter and guide activities including the type, amount, and geographic areas that guided activities may be authorized, based on careful evaluation of the impacts those activities may have on the social and ecological environment.

The priority and temporary use pools allow for the potential increase of existing activities, service days and authorized areas, as well as new activities, new operating areas, and new permits. Additionally, the proposed action includes design elements that provide for mitigations for authorizing specific activities, or authorizing use within specific geographic areas where identified social or ecological concerns require mitigation.

Proposals for new permits, or changes to existing permits, may be approved if they are, or can be modified to be, consistent with the forest plan management objectives and desired conditions, compartment objectives and design elements developed in this plan. Prior to authorizing new or modifying existing outfitter and guide special use permits, an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists will review the proposal to ensure consistency with this plan and other relevant planning decisions. The design elements and proposal evaluation checklist are key components of the proposed action and are intended to ensure statutory and regulatory requirements would be met.

• Design Elements: The design elements section provides guidance regarding the implementation and approval of new or additional activities. Design elements specify restrictions, limits, or requirements for the authorization of new or additional activities, or in some cases excluded from further consideration. These design elements may address a particular resource concern and/or recreational experience. Design elements also provide terms and conditions under which an activity may be authorized during implementation of the decision. Design elements may be specific to a geographic area, season, or specific activity. • Proposal Evaluation Checklist: The proposal evaluation checklist provides direction for evaluating proposals for new activities or modifications of existing activities, as well as directs specific tasks that need to occur prior to authorization. The checklist will ensure statutory and regulatory requirements would be met, and Forest Service and unit policy are followed. The proposal evaluation checklist is included in the sections that follow. Geographic Area For the purpose of this project, the Sawtooth NRA is divided into eight geographic areas or compartments that are color coded red, yellow, or green (Figure 1). The compartments reflect

6 Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Management Plan specific areas where the types and levels of recreational use, management constraints, and resource concerns are similar, as is our ability to manage or mitigate conflicts and concerns. Each compartment has generalized objectives for the implementation of outfitter and guide authorizations in the future.

• Red identifies areas where the overall recreational use is high, the current number and diversity of special uses (organization camps, resorts, recreation events, recreation residences, and non-commercial group use) is high, outfitter and guide opportunities are many and diverse, and additional recreation use may result in conflicts or resource concerns that cannot be mitigated. Red areas may also have moderate to high biophysical concerns; these can include sanitation, road and trail sustainability, or potential for disturbance to wildlife and habitat. Red areas may not have capacity for an increase in guided use. Red compartments include Sawtooth East and the Wood River Drainage, as well as the Down River compartment, which is not covered in this proposed action. Red compartments include portions of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Emphasis will be placed on outfitter and guide activities that are in line with wilderness management objectives and enhance wilderness character, fill a specific niche, or provide an opportunity that does not currently exist. Proposals to increase existing use, or add additional activities, may be limited, and proposal may be denied in the absence of realistic mitigations to address an identified issue. Authorized activities will be carefully monitored to ensure that resource and social thresholds are met. Careful consideration will be taken to maintain wilderness character. • Yellow identifies areas where recreation use may not be as high as in red compartments, but the overall use is increasing, demand for outfitter and guide services is increasing, recreational activities are changing, and management constraints and potential resource concerns may be limiting factors. Yellow areas may have moderate to high or seasonally specific biophysical concerns. Some resources such as sensitive plants, fish, or wildlife may be affected by increased use if not properly mitigated. Some areas within yellow compartments may not have capacity for more use while other areas may be able to sustain additional use. Yellow compartments include portions of the Sawtooth Wilderness, and all of the Cecil D. Andrus White Cloud and Hemingway-Boulders wilderness areas. The Hemingway- Boulders Wilderness in particular, has a low level of human use and disturbance and a high degree of natural integrity. Careful consideration will be taken to retain wilderness character of each wilderness area. An emphasis will be placed on outfitter and guide activities that enhance wilderness character, avoid resource areas of concern, fill a niche, or provide an opportunity that does not currently exit. A broad spectrum of activities may be considered. Proposals for additional activities, and increased use will be carefully scrutinized. Authorized service days will tend to be small in number, authorized incrementally, and monitored carefully for change to ensure that resource and social thresholds are met. • Green identifies areas where the overall recreation use is comparatively low or seasonal, there are few outfitter and guide services currently offered. The need for outfitted services may be increasing, resource concerns are minimal or can easily be mitigated, and require less management attention as areas identified as red and yellow. This does not mean that there may not be issues in green areas, however, use may be low or

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dispersed, there may be few documented impacts that require management actions, and in general, green areas have a higher capability to withstand an increase in authorized use. The Cape Horn compartment is the only area within the Sawtooth NRA identified as green. In the green compartment, a wide spectrum of activities would be considered. Although there is room for growth, the number of permits, types of use, and amount of use authorized will be carefully monitored for changing conditions and to ensure that resource and social thresholds are met. Table 2: Geographic Compartment Descriptions Red Yellow Green Down River* Boulders Cape Horn Salmon River from the weir below Hemingway Boulders Wilderness to North of the Sawtooth Wilderness the hatchery to the eastern the East Fork of the Salmon River, and Stanley Lake not including the boundary of the Sawtooth NRA. and adjacent Boulder White Clouds Hansen Lakes recommended recommended wilderness. wilderness. Sawtooth East Salmon River Headwaters and East half of the Sawtooth Sawtooth Valley East Wilderness from the crest to Salmon River Headwaters, Highway 75 including Alturas Lake Sawtooth Valley east side of north. highway to boundary of recommended wilderness. Wood River Drainage Sawtooth West Wood River drainage excluding West half of the Sawtooth Boulder White Cloud recommended Wilderness from the crest to the wilderness. west boundary including Hansen Lakes recommended wilderness to the north. White Cloud Mountains Cecil D Andrus White Clouds Wilderness, Railroad Ridge, and adjacent Boulder White Cloud recommended wilderness *Down River - Due to extensive historical analysis and existing mitigations for anadromous fish, changes to outfitter/guide activities will be considered through an independent process. Authorized Activities Table 3 lists activities to be considered in the proposed action by season and type. These activities reflect those activities that are currently authorized, or additional activities identified during scoping for the needs assessment, conversations with outfitters, public comment, and input from the interdisciplinary team. The activities listed do not reflect all activities brought forward, rather the general types of activities that are currently authorized and may be authorized in the future.

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Table 3: Activities to be Considered Category of Use Season Types of Activities to be Considered of Use Biking – mountain and gravel Boating – lake based: SUPs, canoeing, kayaking Boating – river based (rafting, kayaking, canoeing, float fishing) Education – nature based

Summer Education – skill based Day Use Fishing (walk/wade) Non-Motorized Hiking Horseback – day rides

Hunting – day hunting Technical mountaineering – rock climbing, peak bagging Nov 1

Wagon rides Summer Motor Sports - Jeep, OHV, motorcycle May 1 – 1 May Day Use Scenic Tours Motorized Shuttle Services Summer Alpine camps – assigned sites and drop camps Overnight Use Non-Motorized Backpacking Hunting – overnight progressive or from authorized camp

Horseback/stock packing – includes progressive camping and drop camps

Technical mountaineering – rock climbing, peak bagging, drop camps, etc.

Winter Education – Skill based (motorized avalanche classes)

Day Use Heli-skiing, snowmobile skiing, and other motorized transport skiing Motorized Hunting

Snowmobiling Winter Backcountry skiing Day Use Cross country skiing Non-Motorized Dog sledding May 1 May

Education – nature based Education – skill based (avalanche classes)

Nov 1 – Ice Climbing Para-sail/skiing Snowshoeing Winter Hut Rentals - Guided Non-Motorized Hut Rentals – Snowmobile supported Overnight Use Hut Rentals - Unguided Technical Mountaineering/Winter camping

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Allocation of Use Allocated use refers to the amount of use assigned to a special use permit holder, or is available to be assigned, and is measured in service days. A service day is defined as an allocation of use constituting a day, or any part of a day, on NFS lands for which an outfitter or guide provides services to a single client. Allocated use for outfitters and guides is split into two categories: priority use and temporary use.

Priority Use. Authorization of use for up to 10 years, based on the holder's past use and performance and applicable programmatic or project decisions to allocate use.

Temporary Use. Short-term, non-renewable outfitting and guiding use that is authorized in increments of 50 service days, up to a maximum of 200 service days in a 180-day period.

Priority Use A total of 59,484 priority use services days are proposed to be available for priority use on the Sawtooth NRA. This accounts for the current number of allocated service days as decided in the 2019 decision of 20,369 authorized service days, approximately 22,000 service days for existing activities that are not currently under priority use permits, and an additional 22,115 service days for a priority use pool that can be distributed to priority use permit holders through a priority use pool.

Unpermitted Existing Activities Priority use permits will be issued for currently occurring activities on the Sawtooth NRA that require an outfitter and guide priority use permit. These activities may have previously been authorized in a temporary permit, under the authority of another type of permit, or through other agreements. These activities can be split into two categories:

• Youth activities such as athletic activities, seasonal camps, and organizational camp activities, and

• Shuttle services

Approximately 17,000 service days would be issued to entities that meet these criteria. This amount of service days ensure that these activities can continue into the future with the necessary accountability and oversight required for such activities conducted on NFS lands. These permits will be issued to the business or organization currently providing the service such as a resort, organization camp or athletic organization, and may not be transferred to another entity. The service days authorized to these entities will not affect the priority use pool and will be held in reserve separately.

Priority Use Pool To provide for growth in services to meet public and agency need, the Sawtooth NRA is proposing to implement a priority use pool of 22,115 priority use service days. A priority use pool allows priority use permit holders to apply for a short-term allocation of use to meet a seasonal need, allows for potential addition of new priority use permits, and provides for adaptive and managed growth of outfitter and guide opportunities within the project area.

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A priority use pool, as defined by FSM 2709.11, is a pool of service days in a use area that may be:

(a) Distributed seasonally to priority use permit holders in that use area and returned to the pool for redistribution during the next open season; or

(b) Distributed for the term of a permit to increase use allocated under priority use permits or to establish use for new priority use permits.

22,115 priority use service days made available in the priority use pool are equal to that of the highest actual use reported by existing outfitters and guides in the last five years. Actual use numbers were used, as opposed to allocated use, to better reflect the current utilization of service days and represent the proportion of demonstrated need for service days by season. Assignment of pool days will require careful consideration of social and physical resource conditions, will meet the parameters and conditions of applicable design elements, and be held to the legal terms and conditions in Special Use Permit, FS-2700-4i.

Some permittees are authorized use on the Sawtooth NRA and other Districts or other Forests. Priority use pool days described in this management plan are only available for use that would occur on the Sawtooth NRA. Additional use on other Districts or Forests must be approved by the unit where the use would occur.

Allocation of Priority Use Pool Days Table 4 shows the total available service days by season. Pool days available in one season cannot be used in another.

Table 4: Priority Use Pool Service Days by Season Season Service Days Summer 12,103 Winter 10,012 Total Pool Service Days 22,115

Priority use pool days may be allocated in two different manners:

1. Short-Term Allocations: Existing permittees can request additional seasonal use where upon the completion of each season, all service days will be returned to the priority use pool for redistribution the next year. 2. Long-Term Allocations: Pool days may be allocated to an existing permit holder for the term of their permit or allocated to a new permittee. When pool days are allocated for the term of a permit, these service days are no longer available in the pool. No more than 75% of the pool will be used for long-term priority use permit allocation increases or new permits, following the initial allocation. For new opportunities in which competitive interest exists, applications will be solicited through the issuance of a prospectus. Pool days will not be authorized uniformly across the Sawtooth NRA. Based on the analysis of social and resource conditions there may be restrictions on activities by season, compartment, or specific geographic area. Approval of any proposal will be dependent on the current condition of social and biophysical resource, and that all indicators and thresholds are being met as described

11 Sawtooth National Recreation Area Outfitter and Guide Management Plan in this proposed action. If conditions are not being met, no additional service days will be approved on a short-term or long-term basis.

Priority use pool service days may fluctuate in the future. The amount of use in the pool will be evaluated every 5 years. This review may result in an increase in the amount of service days available or decrease the amount of service days available in the pool.

The number of service days in the pool may increase:

• As a result of underutilization. As per FSH 2709.11, during the fifth year of a priority use permit, the permit administrator will review an outfitters actual use, and adjust the allocation of use to match the highest amount of actual use in 1 calendar year during that period, plus an additional percentage, not to exceed the amount of use originally allocated when the permit was issued. When the adjusted allocated use is less than the original allocation, the reduced/unallocated days may be added to the pool. An increase in original allocation can be requested through the proposal process described below. • If a priority use permit is not reissued upon the end of the term date, is relinquished, or revoked for any reason, the unallocated days may be added to the pool. • If the service days in the pool have been depleted, the need for more days has been demonstrated, and an interdisciplinary team determines that resource conditions remain similar to those evaluated in this analysis and that resource conditions still meet all identified indicators and thresholds, the authorized officer may determine to add additional days to the priority use pool.

o The pool may increase by no more than 15% of the original priority use pool, 22,115 pool days. Increases in the priority use pool would occur during a 5-year review.

o If thresholds are exceeded following a pool increase, pool service days may revert to prior year levels to provide time to analyze issues, effects, and implement management actions. The number of service days in a pool may decrease:

• If pool service days are allocated to an existing permittee for the term of their permit. Service days may be allocated to an existing outfitter if they submit a proposal for the addition of service days, can demonstrate a need for additional service days, and if resource conditions are being met. Long-term service day allocations will be drawn directly out of the pool and will not return to the pool unless the permit is terminated or revoked. • If service days are assigned to a new permittee. Service days allocated to a new special use permit will be drawn directly out of the pool and will not return to the pool unless the permit is terminated or revoked.

o For opportunities in which competitive interest exists, solicit applications through issuance of a prospectus. • If resource or social conditions are not being met, or have changed, the authorized officer may reduce the amount of priority use pool days available.

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o Alternatively, the authorized officer may choose to place a temporary or permanent hold on the amount of pool days available for allocation.

o The authorized officer may place additional restrictions on pool use as deemed necessary.

Distribution of Priority Use Pool Days

Short-Term Allocations

a. To qualify for a short-term, seasonal increase of service days, an outfitter must: • Be authorized to operate on the Sawtooth NRA under a priority use permit. • Be in compliance with all terms and conditions of their permit. • Request pool days for areas and seasons where they are currently authorized to operate. • Submit a proposal that identifies the type of use and area of use they are requesting pool days for. • Certify that they are currently using, or have booked 90%, of their authorized priority use days for the season. b. Permittees with 1,000 service days or less may request an additional 25% of their current allocation once per season. c. Permittees with more than 1,000 service days may request an additional 15% of their current allocation, once per season. d. At the end of each season, all seasonal allocations return to the pool for the following year. e. Seasonal allocation requests can be approved by the permit administrator or authorized officer, and do not require a permit amendment.

Long-Term Allocations

a. Initial Long-Term Allocation Increase: To address the current demand for use, permittees who currently hold a priority use permit for use on the Sawtooth NRA may request an initial increase of service days for the remaining term of their permit during the first open season. In this instance the following will apply: • Permittees must show actual use above their allocation for 3 of the past 5 years to be considered. • Permittees can request up to 50% of their current allocation. • During the initial long-term allocation, the seasonal split of service days (where seasons are combined) will be evaluated and adjusted proportionally for seasonal actual use.

o Moving forward, service days will be split by season for all priority use permittees.

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• Priority use service days allocated for the term of a permit must be approved by the authorized officer, and a permit amendment is required. • Once approved, the allocated service days would be removed from the pool. b. Subsequent Long-Term Allocations: To qualify for a long-term increase of priority service days for the term of a permits, an outfitter must: • Be authorized to operate on the Sawtooth NRA under a priority use permit. • Be in compliance with all terms and conditions of their permit. • Be currently authorized to conduct the proposed activity, within the proposed operating area. • Submit a proposal that identifies the type of use, area of use, and seasons where they would like an increased allocation. • Be able to demonstrate the need for an increase of priority use days by utilizing seasonal pool days for a minimum of 3 years within the past 5 years. • Requests to increase long-term allocations may be submitted once every five years.

o Permittees with 1,000 service days or less may request an allocation increase of up to 25% of their current allocation

o Permittees with more than 1,000 service days may request an allocation increase of up to 15 % of their current allocation.

o Requests for an allocation increase will be accepted only during an open season. Open seasons are March 1 – April 1 and October 1 – November 1 annually.

o Proposals will not be accepted outside the open season. c. New Long-Term Allocation (new activities and new permits)

• To qualify for an allocation of service days for a new activity for an existing permittee, or a new permit, an outfitter/applicant must:

o Be able to meet all of the eligibility requirements of the state and the Forest Service to conduct the specific activity for which they are requesting.

o Submit a proposal on SF-299, that identifies the type of use, amount of use, season of use, and area of use for their request. . Amount of use requested must be split by season. • Proposals for new activities or new permits may be submitted only during an open season, requests must be submitted the open season prior to proposed season of operation:

o Open seasons are March 1 – April 1(for winter use) and October 1 – November 1 (for summer use).

o Proposals will not be accepted outside the open season.

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• For opportunities in which competitive interest exists, solicit applications through issuance of a prospectus (FSM 2712.2). • All new permittees will be subject to a 2-year temporary/probationary permit in line with Forest Service policy. For permit holders who have demonstrated satisfactory performance, the authorized officer may issue a priority permit for a period of up to 10 years, in accordance with FSH 2709.11, Chapter 40. • Permanent re-assignment of pool days must be approved by the authorized officer and an amendment to an existing or new permit is required.

o Once approved, the allocated service days would be removed from the pool.

Temporary Use The Sawtooth NRA Temporary Permit Process and Guidelines, approved June 11, 2019 provides direction for accepting, evaluating, and authorizing temporary use. The proposed action does not increase or decrease the amount of temporary use service days, however, unless specifically stated, all design elements proposed in this plan will apply to temporary permits moving forward.

Temporary Use Pool The Sawtooth NRA maintains a total of 2,000 service days in a temporary pool for the following activities:

• Day Use - Hiking/Nordic Skiing/Snowshoeing • Overnight Use - Summer Backpacking, Winter Skiing/Touring • Biking on NFS roads and trails Other activities may be considered as long as they are low impact, low risk and have no extraordinary circumstances or other concerns.

Proposals for temporary permits may be submitted only during an open season, requests must be submitted the open season prior to proposed season of operation. Open seasons are March 1 – April 1(for winter use) and October 1 – November 1 (for summer use). Proposals for temporary use will be processed through the proposal checklist, and all proposed design elements are applicable to temporary use.

To maintain the temporary nature of these permits, no more than 2 permits may be issued to any one holder within a 5-year period.

Reoccurring temporary use requests (annual request or requests received at least 3 out of 5 years) will be evaluated for the appropriateness of the issuance of a priority use permit, or for the completion of a nominal effects evaluation.

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Indicators and Monitoring Table 5: Indicators, Thresholds, and Potential Management Actions Indicator Threshold Potential Management Action Habitat for Loss in regeneration and population Assess reasons for the loss of population, if sensitive plant viability in known occurrences of impacts are occurring as a result of recreation species white bark or other sensitive plants. use, consider not authorizing new use in the area of decline. Invasive Species Landscape scale, or large area, Review types of use occurring in the area; increase in invasive species. consider adjustments to standard operating procedures to minimalize and reduce spread. Threatened, Downward population trend identified Evaluate levels of outfitter and guide use in endangered and by Idaho Department of Game and critical habitat areas and determine management sensitive species Fish for any species. actions needed for protection. Threatened, New species of concern, or a new Evaluate levels of outfitter and guide use in endangered and designation or listing of a species critical habitat areas and assess appropriate use sensitive species within the Sawtooth NRA. levels and potential seasonal restrictions. Wilderness Wilderness character monitoring Assess the impacts and determine management Character thresholds are exceeded. actions that are needed to maintain wilderness character. Recreation Increasing conflicts between public Assess the level of conflict and consider Conflicts and guided recreational use. management actions needed to reduce conflict.

Monitoring All required reviews and inspections will be completed for each priority use permittee, in accordance with FSH 2709.11, Chapter 40. This includes but is not limited to annual outfitter and guide performance reviews; site inspections; civil rights reviews; and 5-year priority use reviews. Identification of instances of non-compliance will be immediately documented, discussed with permittee, and the authorized officer, and notices of non-compliance may be issued in accordance with FSH 2709.11, Chapter 40. • Continued non-compliance by a permit holder may result in the termination of the special use permit in accordance with FSH 2709.11, Chapter 40. Wilderness Stewardship Performance: Continued monitoring, reporting, and tracking on the selected wilderness stewardship elements selected for each wilderness will continue. The annual monitoring and reporting on these elements will continue, to assure the preservation of wilderness character. Monitor Idaho Department of Fish and Game population survey information for Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive species. Additional monitoring may be developed during our analysis and consultation, prior to a Decision on this Outfitter and Guide Management Plan.

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Design Elements Design elements and restrictions are used to keep any short-term effects of the proposed action and activities within acceptable and predictable bounds. Some design elements would be applied to specific activities and/or distinct areas; others are designed to be applied to the Sawtooth NRA as a whole.

All permits will be authorized under the direction of the Special Uses Management Manual (FSM 2700) and Handbook (FSH 2709.11). All permits will be issued on form FS-2700-4i for priority use permits, or the form Temporary Special Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding for temporary use permits. All legal terms and conditions as found in these permit forms will be applicable to all current or new permits.

The tables below describe the design elements that would be applied to the proposed action and activities. Additional elements may be added if situationally required. There are two sets of design elements:

Administrative Design Elements: This table refers to design elements that are applied by the authorized officer and reviewing officials while considering a new outfitter and guide proposal, or a request for new or additional use from an existing outfitter or guide. These administrative considerations provide the needed mitigations to social and physical resource concerns to allow for continued growth on the Sawtooth NRA.

Operational Design Elements: The operational design elements are specific mitigations that are implemented on the daily operations and performance of outfitters and guides. Applicable features will be included in outfitter and guide permits, or amendments, either in the face of the permit, or as additional conditions in the 5-year operating plan.

A coordination meeting between the permit holders and the permit administrator (and resource specialists as needed) shall occur each year. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the terms and design elements of the permit. Where necessary Sawtooth NRA biologists, botanists, and additional resource specialists will provide education and information to outfitter and guides regarding their areas of specialty and concern, e.g. threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, species of concern, sensitive plant and invasive species, and aquatic invasive species.

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Table 6: Administrative Design Elements Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source Any proposed activity not considered or covered by a similar type of activity in this management plan would be A-1 independently evaluated. All All All Activities not analyzed Do not authorize new activities in areas of concern for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive and Watch plant species populations and sensitive areas, and unique vegetation communities such as wetlands, bogs, alpine communities without reviewing identified botanical Protect natural A-2 areas of concern. All All All resources

Do not authorize ground disturbing activities without Protect natural and A-3 completing a site-specific review as per the proposal checklist. All All All cultural resources Protect natural and cultural resources Do not authorize new camps within riparian areas; consider Amphibians/Aquatic opportunities to relocate existing camps in riparian areas or species A-4 near lakes when possible. All All May 1 - November 1 Sensitive plant species Protect natural and cultural resources Amphibians/Aquatic Require the use of existing impacted sites or sites 200’ from May 1 – November species: Spotted Frog A-5 water for spot camps and progressive camping. All All 1 Sensitive plant species Bull Trout - 63 FR Do not authorize activities that include wading and swimming 31647, Steelhead - 62 in streams when ESA-listed bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook FR 43937, salmon are spawning or where redds are likely to exist. Spring/Summer Westslope cutthroat trout are listed as “sensitive” per Forest Accessing or Crossing August 15 – October Chinook Salmon A-6 Plan direction. Streams All Section 7 Watersheds 1 57 FR 14653 Limit new guided over snow vehicle use to designated routes Protect visitor and specifically identified open area for OSVs, as shown on experiences and A-7 the Over-snow Vehicle map. Over-snow vehicles All November 1 - May 1 wildlife

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source Authorize no more than one permittee to conduct Helicopter Skiing on the Sawtooth NRA. Changes in the service day allocation, operating area, and specific mitigations that apply Protect visitor to Heli skiing will require additional public scoping and experiences and A-8 environmental analysis. Heli Skiing All November 1 - May 1 wildlife Authorize snow removal or snowplowing on a case by case basis and only as a means to address an issue such as parking Protect visitor A-9 congestion and competition. All All November 1 - May 1 experience Authorize no new or additional activities in the mapped avoidance areas to lessen negative impacts to wolverine and December 1 - May Protect natural and A-10 mountain goats during winter /spring. Winter Use Mapped Exclusion Areas 31 cultural resources SA1 (Salmon River) – Any changes in service day allocations, number of permittees, and specific mitigations that apply to float boating and walk-wade fishing will require an Float boating and A-11 independent environmental analysis and consultation walk wade fishing Down River May 1 - November 1 Protect fish

Authorize no new or additional priority use in the Sawtooth Sawtooth Wilderness May 1 – November Protect visitor A-12 Wilderness or on trails that access the Sawtooth Wilderness. All and access routes 1 experiences Annually, authorize no more than 4 temporary permits in the Sawtooth Wilderness or on trails that access the Sawtooth Sawtooth Wilderness Protect visitor A-13 Wilderness. All and access routes May 1 -November experiences Protect visitor experiences, avoid Authorize no lake-based watersports at Alturas, Pettit, Lake-based further crowding and A-14 Redfish or Stanley Lake. watersports Sawtooth East All year parking congestion Protect designated critical habitat for sockeye. Yellowbelly is considered as one Authorize no lake-based watersports at Little Redfish and Lake-based of 5 critical nursery A-15 Yellowbelly Lakes watersports Sawtooth East All year lake for recovery.

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source Protect natural and cultural resources and summer sensitive Prohibit climbing in in peregrine falcon nesting areas during Rock Climbing, habitat for Peregrine A-16 breeding season Mountaineering Sawtooth East April 1 - July 15 falcon Restrict temporary service days on the Galena summer trails Protect visitor network to weekdays only, and no more than 4 permits or Galena Summer Trails experiences A-17 400 service Mountain Biking Network May 1 - November 1 Wood River Avoid additional Require an approved parking or shuttle service plan for Sawtooth East, Salmon parking congestion proposals that would increase service days and/or offer new Headwaters / Sawtooth and conflicts with A-18 opportunities in winter. All Valley November 1 - May 1 other winter activities Protect visitor experiences, avoid Limit the amount of authorized winter use on the Galena Pass conflicts between to historical levels. Allow no more than 1 avalanche class per public and guided use, outfitter per weekend day or holiday. Allow no more than 3 Wood River – Galena and as a means to A-19 guided groups per outfitter per weekend day or holiday. All winter activities Pass November 1 - May 1 manage parking.

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Operational Design Elements Table 7. Operational Design Elements (Terms and Conditions)

Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source This is applicable to hiking, biking, A group size limit of 12 persons total will apply to all single- backpacking, horse Protect visitor O-1 track trail use and winter activities. packing, skiing etc. All All experiences Protect visitor experience, protect Unless specified in the permit, assigned sites or camps may be natural and cultural set up no more than 15 days prior to the operating season and resources, preserve O-2 must be removed within 5 days after the end of the season. All All All wilderness character No soap will be used in any waterbody. Dishwashing, bathing, and other activities requiring soap will occur at least 200' from any open water. Gray water will be disposed of properly at least 200' from any open water. Organic material will be strained from dishwater and burned completely or packed out Protect natural and O-3 with other refuse. All All All cultural resources

Permittee will make every effort to minimize displacement or Protect natural and O-4 disturbance of wildlife or fish. All All All cultural resources Forest Service personnel will work cooperatively with permittee to identify and manage invasive non-native plant species infestations within assigned sites (camps, corrals, stock Protect natural and O-5 areas). All All All cultural resources Permittee will monitor assigned sites for non-native invasive plant species. Where invasive non-native plant species occur in assigned site, the permittee will avoid use in or traveling through the infested area, or hand pull the infestation when appropriate, and report all infestations to permit Protect natural and O-6 administrator. All All All cultural resources

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source

The permittee is required to use certified weed-free feed for 48 hours in advance of and for the duration of the trip on Protect natural and O-7 public lands for livestock and bedding. All All All cultural resources All motorized vehicles (vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes), bicycles, and equipment (tents, backpacks, camp furniture, stock tack) must be free of accumulated soil and plant material, including undercarriages prior to entering public land to prevent introduction and/or spread of invasive non-native Protect natural and O-8 plant species.. All All All cultural resources Where salt for pack and saddle stock is provided, mixing with grain will be the preferred method. Alternatively, salt may be provided in block form if secured off the ground in a waterproof container, located away from other camps, trails Protect natural O-9 and live water, and removed when livestock are removed All All All resources 5-needle pines trees, seedlings and snags will be avoided during permitted activities. Where 5- needled pine tree or seedling cannot be avoided, the permittee will contact permit Protect threatened O-10 administrator for consultation with a Forest Service Botanist All All All and sensitive species In-water equipment would be required to be cleaned after each use. Any equipment found to contain aquatic invasives will be decontaminated at an off-site wash station and reinspected prior to use on the authorized waters. Use of felt Water based soled waders will be discouraged. waters. Use of felt soled activities and wade Prevent aquatic O-11 waters would not be authorized for walk and wade outfitters. fishing All All invasive species Protect Bull Trout, Other than hunting parties in pursuit of or retrieving game, all Steelhead, streams will be crossed on bridges or at already established Accessing or Crossing August 15 – October Spring/Summer O-12 road and trail fords only. Streams All Section 7 Watersheds 1 Chinook Salmon No firewood gathering is allowed within 300 feet of live streams or lakeshores or within 150 feet of ponds, springs, and intermittent streams. Only dead and down material may be Protect natural and O-13 gathered for firewood. All All May 1 - November 1 cultural resources

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source

A maximum of one fire per outfitted camp is allowed. When possible utilize fire pans, raised grills, or other Leave-No-Trace Protect natural and O-14 techniques. All All May 1 - November 1 cultural resources Permittees will provide portable toilets or dig latrines 300 feet from open water and 150 feet from ponds, springs, and intermittent streams and cover the latrines with soil at the end of each trip. Latrines will not be located in noxious weed Protect natural and O-15 infestations. All All May 1 - November 1 cultural resources Permittees will report to the Forest Service any sightings of Canada lynx, wolverine, or wolverine denning activity within Protect natural and O-16 24 hours of the sighting. All All November 1 - May 1 cultural resources

When operating within any wilderness area on the Sawtooth NRA, Permittees are prohibited from the following to protect visitor experiences, natural and cultural resources, and wilderness character

Sawtooth Wilderness; Hemingway-Boulders Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. Being on a Forest Trail with pack and saddle stock that is not trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-17 under restrictive control hunting support, etc. Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.55(a) Sawtooth Wilderness; Hemingway-Boulders Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling pack and saddle stock to live trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-20 trees for periods of longer than one hour. hunting support, etc. Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.58(aa) Sawtooth Wilderness; Possessing pack and saddle stock within a campsite for Hemingway-Boulders purposes other than loading or unloading for periods of longer Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. than one hour. Pack goats are exempt when bedded near trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-21 sleeping areas. hunting support, etc. Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.58(s) Possessing, storing, or transporting unprocessed plant material Stock Use – pack Sawtooth Wilderness such as hay, straw, or other bulk livestock feed for bedding, trips, trail rides, Hemingway-Boulders O-22 feeding or other activities. hunting support, etc. Wilderness; Cecil D. May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.58(t)

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Sawtooth Wilderness; Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness; Cecil D. Shortcutting a switchback in a Trail on foot or with recreational Andrus-White Clouds O-23 stock. All Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.55(e) Sawtooth Wilderness; Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness; Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds O-24 Camping in violation of posted signs. Overnight camping Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.55(e)

Specific to the Hemingway-Boulders or Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness areas, Permittees are prohibited from the following to protect visitor experiences, natural and cultural resources, and wilderness character

Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires above Hemingway-Boulders 8800’ elevation, excluding: within 200 yards of Walker and Wilderness; Cecil D. Island Lakes, Upper and Lower Chamberlain Lakes, and Boorn Andrus-White Clouds O-25 Lakes All Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.52(a) Hemingway-Boulders Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. Possessing more than 14 head of pack and saddle stock, trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-26 excluding pack goats hunting support, etc. Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(a) Entering or being within the following drainages: Slickenslide Creek above Quiet Lake, Boulder Chain Lakes Creek above Hemingway-Boulders Lodgepole Lake, Gunsight Creek, Bighorn Creek, and Big Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. Boulder Lakes, excluding Walker and Island Lakes while trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-27 possessing or transporting pack and saddle stock hunting support, etc. Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(a) Hemingway-Boulders Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. Grazing pack and saddle stock within 200 feet of any lake, trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-28 stream, or spring. hunting support, etc. Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(e)

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source Hemingway-Boulders Hitching, tethering, or hobbling pack and saddle stock within Stock Use – pack Wilderness; Cecil D. 200 feet of springs, lakes, or streams, excluding agency trips, trail rides, Andrus-White Clouds O-29 provided stock ties. hunting support, etc. Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.58(aa) Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness; Cecil D. Possessing more than 3 pack goats per person, and a Andrus-White Clouds O-30 maximum of 9 pack goats per group. Pack goat use Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(a) Hemingway-Boulders Entering or being within the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness; Cecil D. Wilderness Pack Goat Exclusion area with a pack goat as Andrus-White Clouds O-31 depicted on the map attached hereto as Exhibit D. Pack goat use Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(a) Hemingway-Boulders Depositing human waste within 200 feet of springs, lakes, Wilderness; Cecil D. streams, trails, or campsites and/or not covering waste before Andrus-White Clouds O-32 vacating the area. All Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.57(g)

Specific to the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, Permittees are prohibited from the following to protect visitor experiences, natural and cultural resources, and wilderness character

Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires more than O-33 1/4 mile from Forest Trails All Sawtooth Wilderness July 1 - Labor Day 36 CFR 261.52(a) Building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire or campfire without using a stove, brazier, fire pan or fire blanket to O-34 contain charcoal or ash. All Sawtooth Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.52(a) Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires within 200 yards of the following lakes: Sawtooth Lake, Alpine Lake, O-35 Saddleback Lakes, Alpine Lake, Goat Lake, or Scenic Lakes All Sawtooth Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.52(a) Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires within the following drainages: Pettit and Yellow Belly Lake Creeks, Goat Creek (tributary of the South Fork of the Payette River), Alpine O-36 Creek (tributary of Alturas Lake Creek), All Sawtooth Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.52(a)

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Geographic Area, or Purpose, ID Design Element Activity Compartment Season Rationale, Source Being on a Forest Trail with a dog, other than a seeing eye dog, O-37 that is not upon a leash that is fifteen feet or shorter All Sawtooth Wilderness July 1 - Labor Day 36 CFR 261.52(a) Entering or being within the Goat Creek drainage (tributary of the South Fork of the Payette), while possessing or O-38 transporting a dog. All Sawtooth Wilderness July 1 - Labor Day 36 CFR 261.52(a) Entering or being in the Sawtooth Wilderness while in O-39 possession of fixed climbing anchors All Sawtooth Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.57(a) Placing or leaving fixed climbing anchors within the Sawtooth O-40 Wilderness All Sawtooth Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.57(f)

Stock Use – pack trips, trail rides, O-41 Possessing more than 14 head of pack and saddle stock hunting support, etc. Sawtooth Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(a) Entering or being within the following drainages: Goat Creek drainage (tributary of the South Fork of the Payette), and Stock Use – pack Alpine Creek drainage while possessing or transporting pack trips, trail rides, O-42 and saddle stock hunting support, etc. Sawtooth Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(a)

Stock Use – pack Possessing equine stock within 200 yards of Edith Lake, shown trips, trail rides, O-43 on Exhibit E, while camping overnight. hunting support, etc. Sawtooth Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(e) Stock Use – pack Grazing pack and saddle stock within 200 yards of any lake trips, trail rides, O-44 shoreline. hunting support, etc. Sawtooth Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.57(e) Hitching, tethering, or hobbling pack and saddle stock within Stock Use – pack 100 feet of springs, lakes, or streams, excluding agency trips, trail rides, O-45 provided stock ties. hunting support, etc. Sawtooth Wilderness May 1 - November 1 36 CFR 261.58(aa)

Depositing human waste within 100 feet of springs, lakes, or O-46 streams, and/or not covering waste before vacating the Area. All Sawtooth Wilderness All 36 CFR 261.57(g)

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Proposal Evaluation Checklist This checklist broadly ensures that permit administrators and the responsible official will review proposals consistently, apply the project design elements, and authorize outfitter and guide permits consistent with the Outfitter and Guide Management Plan. The steps shown below would take place prior issuing a permit.

Initial Review: a. Determine if the proposal meets the initial special uses screening criteria, b. Verify the proposal addresses a public or agency need, c. Determine if the proposal is compatible with the geographic compartment objectives, d. Confirm that proposed activities are allowed, and that the amount of requested service days are available, e. Confirm the proposal includes a map and site-specific locations for activities including camps, or other designated sites. f. Determine whether or not the proposal includes ground disturbing activities, g. Identify any activities that might occur in wilderness, wildlife or botanical areas of concern, or other areas with additional, specific, management concern. h. Confirm, if existing special use permit holder, that the existing permit is in good standing and in compliance with all terms and conditions of the permit. Requests will not be processed if the permit holder’s permit is in non-compliance. i. Authorized Officer will review and approve permit administrators determination that the proposal meets screening criteria, manual and handbook directions, design elements, and administrative parameters.

Interdisciplinary Coordination: a. When appropriate, resource specialists will review proposals and make recommendations to the Authorized Officer. Resource specialists will: i. Determine if a proposal is within the scope of the activities evaluated in the analysis, ii. Determine whether or not field assessments or further consultation is needed, iii. Identify applicable design elements, and iv. Identify any additional site-specific design elements to be considered. b. The Authorized Officer will use this information in determining whether or not to accept a proposal, and/or to apply specific design elements to mitigate a concern. c. Necessary clearances will be completed before any new activity or increase in use may be authorized.

Notifications and Consultations: a. Ongoing tribal consultation b. Review permit for consistency with USFWS/NOAA programmatic agreements and project ESA consultation. If permit is not consistent, check-in with Level 1.

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c. For permits that involve ground disturbing activities complete SHPO reporting and provide 30 days for review and comment: consistent with the programmatic agreement (in development).

Special Use Authorizations and Amendments: a. Permits will be authorized under the direction of the Special Uses Management Manual (FSM 2700) and Handbook (FSH 2709.11). The direction and processes outlined in the handbook and manual will not be included here, but will be followed, as per policy. b. For new applications, in which competitive interest exists, solicit applications through issuance of a prospectus (FSM 2712.2). c. All new permittees will be subject to a 2-year temporary/probationary permit in line with FS policy. For temporary permit holders who have demonstrated satisfactory performance, the line officer may issue a priority permit for a period of up to 10 years, in accordance with FSH 2709.11, Chapter 40. d. The Authorized Officer is responsible for approving the permit or amendment after ensuring the following: a. The use is consistent with direction provided in policy, b. The use is consistent with guidance in the Outfitter and Guide Management Plan, and all applicable design elements are applied, c. Inter-disciplinary coordination has occurred, d. Required consultation is complete, and, e. Anticipated effects are consistent with the environmental analysis.