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Comprehensive Plan Revision
Public Participation | Comment
Completed in response to provisions of the National Trails System Act, the 1990 Comprehensive Plan (CP), has guided the USDA Forest Service in managing the 1,170-mile Nez Perce National Historic Trail (NPNHT) for over 30 years. Congress authorized the NPNHT in 1986 to commemorate the 1877 Nez Perce War and Flight. The Trail, including associated sites and auto tours, crosses a mix of local, county, state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions and agencies in four Forest Service regions, across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
Why Revise?
Download the FAQ's and the Differences in the 1990 CP to the Revised CP for more information.
The National Trails System Act of 1968 (NTSA) has been amended several times since the 1990 NPNHT CP was completed. The 1990 Comprehensive Plan (CP), has guided the USDA Forest Service in managing the 1,170-mile Trail for over 30 years. The National Trails System Act of 1968 (NTSA) has been amended several times since the 1990 NPNHT CP was completed. Within the past decade, two independent interagency reviews of the 1990 NPNHT CP determined the Plan needs to be revised and updated to meet NTSA requirements.
- Identify Nature and Purpose statement addressing why the NPNHT is important and for what purposes it should be managed.
- Specify Objectives and Practices to be followed in management of the NPNHT.
- Include an acquisition plan.
- Identify carrying capacity.
- Identify High Potential Historic Sites and High Potential Historic Route Segments associated with the NPNHT.
- Incorporate model cooperative agreements.
Why now?
The revision is needed because the NPNHT CP is over 30 years old. Current issues did not exist in 1990. Public interest in the NPNHT has recently increased. The revision provides an opportunity to increase consistency and cooperation with organizations and individuals. There is a need to address recent changes to the NPNHT corridor such as energy development, cell towers, urban interface, and new recreation activities not originally addressed in the current CP.
The 1990 NPNHT CP predated the 1992 Nez Perce National Historical Park (NPNHP) Additions Act. Congress expanded the NPNHP to encompass key historical sites along the Trail. These additional sites have not been addressed in the current CP.
A revised CP benefits all federal agencies by providing consistent management direction. Several tribal governments have expressed interest in participating in the revision process that were not part of the original CP.
A revised CP will similarly complement all federal agency managed Trail segments by clarifying the NPNHT’s relationship to their respective management plans. For example, the Federal Highway Administration’s America’s Byways program, created in 1990, features state and federally designated scenic motorways. These byways incorporate or parallel NPNHT auto tour routes, providing an additional avenue for Trail cooperation, promotion, an interpretation among state and local byway coordinators. Population growth, economic transition, ecotourism, and technology shifts pose added changes to Trail resources to be considered. The revision will address sensitive NPNHT sites and resources including the increasing need for heritage preservation planning across the NPNHT.
The Trail is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. The Regional Forester of the Northern Region is the responsible administrative official for day to day administrative operations. The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service will be the deciding official for the CP. The U.S. Forest Service cooperates with the following entities:
- National Park Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bureau of Reclamation
- US Army Corp of Engineers
- Affected Tribes
- State and Local Government
Synopsis of Interagency Reviews of the 1990 CP
Who is invited to participate?
All interested stakeholders and communities, for whom the Trail represents particular values related to heritage and remembrance. As mandated by law Tribal Consultation will first take place prior to public scoping.
How can you participate?
There are a number of ways you can participate, attending a community meeting to participating through e-collaboration using online web tools including email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Names and physical and email addresses submitted on the website, or in response to any request for comments, will be included in the project record for CP Revision and may be released to the public if requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
Public Participation
A series of public workshops were held in in Gateway Communities between 2010 and 2014 to gather public input on what should be addressed during the revision process.
Key Links to Federal Land Management Agencies
USDA Forest Service
- US Forest Service Northern Region
- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
- Bitterroot National Forest
- Caribou-Targhee National Forest
- Custer Gallatin National Forest
- Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
- Lolo National Forest
- Nez Perce Clearwater National Forests
- Salmon-Challis National Forest
- Shoshone National Forest
- Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
USDI Bureau of Land Management
- Idaho State Office
- Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
- Montana/Dakotas State Office
- Oregon-Washington State Office
- Wyoming State Office
USDI National Park Service
- Nez Perce National Historical Park
- Big Hole National Battlefield
- Bear Paw Battlefield
- Yellowstone National Park
USDI US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
- Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
- Kooskia National Fish Hatchery
- Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge