United States Department of Agriculture Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail Comprehensive Management Plan Forest Service Washington Office February 2020 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD- 3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. The Forest Service uses the most current and complete data available. GIS data and product accuracy may vary. They may be developed from sources of differing accuracy, accurate only at certain scales, based on modeling or interpretation, incomplete while being created or revised, etc. Using GIS products for purposes other than those for which they were created, may yield inaccurate or misleading results. The Forest Service reserves the right to correct, update, modify, or replace, GIS products without notification. Cover Photos Top row left to right: Imnaha River in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of northeastern Oregon. Visitors experiencing the Nez Perce Trail at Big Hole National Battlefield near Wisdom, Montana (U.S. Forest Service photos by Roger Peterson). Middle row left to right: Nez Perce Trail sculpture at the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, Fort Benton, Montana. The Nez Perce Trail traverses the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument near Cow Island in central Montana (U.S. Forest Service photos by Roger Peterson). Bottom row left to right: Riders view the Nez Perce memorial at the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana (U.S. Forest Service photo by Joni Packard). The end of the Nez Perce Trail currently at Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, MT (U.S. Forest Service photo by Roger Peterson). Nez Perce National Historic Trail Draft Comprehensive Management Plan Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Historical Context ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Overview of Planning Framework and Authorities ................................................................................ 12 2. Planning and Management Process ......................................................................................................... 17 Planning Process ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................... 17 Relationship to Other Land Management and Resource Management Plans and Designated Areas ..... 19 3. Description of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail Corridor .............................................................. 25 The Historic Route.................................................................................................................................. 25 The Route Today .................................................................................................................................... 31 4. Trail Management and Administration ................................................................................................... 57 Nature of the Trail .................................................................................................................................. 57 Purpose of the Trail ................................................................................................................................ 57 Management Goals, Objectives and Practices ........................................................................................ 57 5. Trail Development, Protection, and Maintenance................................................................................... 73 Rights-of-Way Selection and Adjustments ............................................................................................ 73 6. Implementing this Plan ........................................................................................................................... 77 Priority Actions....................................................................................................................................... 77 Estimated Costs ...................................................................................................................................... 78 7. References ............................................................................................................................................... 81 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 81 2. Planning and Management Process .................................................................................................... 82 3. Description of the Trail Corridor ........................................................................................................ 86 4. Trail Management and Administration ............................................................................................... 86 Appendix A: The National Trails System Act ............................................................................................ 87 Appendix B: High Potential Historic Sites and Segments Associated with the Nez Perce National Historic Trail ........................................................................................................................................................... 101 Segment 1 (Wallowa Valley, Oregon to Weippe Prairie, Idaho) ......................................................... 101 Segment 2 (Weippe Prairie, Idaho to Lolo, Montana) .......................................................................... 103 Segment 3 (Lolo, Montana to Big Hole National Battlefield, Montana).............................................. 104 Segment 4 (Big Hole National Battlefield, Montana to Leadore, Idaho) ............................................. 104 Segment 5 (Leadore, Idaho to Yellowstone NP, Wyoming) ................................................................ 105 Segment 6 (Yellowstone National Park) .............................................................................................. 106 Segment 7 (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming to Broadview, Montana) ...................................... 107 Segment 8 (Broadview, Montana to Bear Paw National Battlefield, Montana) ................................... 108 Appendix C: Rights-of-Way Maps ........................................................................................................... 111 Appendix D: Agreement Reference Guide (Forest Service) ..................................................................... 131 Appendix E: Management Responsibilities and Coordination by Agency or Group .............................. 137 USDA Forest Service ........................................................................................................................... 137 Other Federal Agencies ........................................................................................................................ 138 State Agencies ...................................................................................................................................... 139 Local Agencies ..................................................................................................................................... 140 Private Landowners .............................................................................................................................. 140 Federally Recognized Tribes ...............................................................................................................