III. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

FEDERAL AGENCY ROLE

The National Trails System Act assigns responsibility for overall administration of Nez 

Perce National Historic Trail (NPNHT) to the Secretary of Agriculture. This has been 

further delegated to the Chief of the USDA, Forest Service and to the Regional Forester of 

the Northern Region, Missoula, Montana. Administration of the NPNHT will require the 

coordination of all the efforts of the National Park Service, Bureau of and Management, 

States of Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming, and 

numerous other governmental agencies and private landowners. 

Each Federal agency is responsible for management of the trail on its respective lands. 

Common responsibilities may include: 

 y Acquisition of funding. 

 y Marking the trail and sign maintenance. 

 y Providing user protection and regulation. 

 yCultural resource identification. 

 yTrail information, publicity, and interpretation. 

The Forest Service will have a continuing oversight and assistance role to encourage trail 

development and to ensure consistency with the Plan. The various tasks of the Forest 

Service involve the following: 

PLAN COORDINATION

Coordinate with the Federal and non-Federal managing authorities in the preparation and 

approval of management plans. Development and management of each segment of the trail 

shall be designed to harmonize with and complement any established multiple-use plans 

for that specific area in order to ensure continued maximum benefits from the land. 

AGREEMENTS

Assist private organizations, Federal, State, and local agencies with the development of 

agreements to facilitate management and development of the NPNHT. 

CERTIFICATION REVIEW AND APPROVAL

Review and approve state applications to designate segments of trail that lie outside of 

federally administered areas.

CONSULTATION WITH THE NEZ PERCE NATIONAL TRAIL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Seek advice of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail Advisory Council concerning matters 

relating to designation, marking, and administration of the trail. 
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) REVIEW

Participate in the NEPA process. Review and comment on proposed actions which may 

affect the trail. The Forest Service will conform to all NEPA guidelines and advise other 

public managment authorities of NEPA requirements as appropriate. 

CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSISTANCE

The impact of trail development on historic and archeological resources will be treated in 

accordance with the procedures of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 

800). A cultural resource investigation will be required of all areas affected by trail 

development and maintenance. All cultural resources activity for the Trail will be 

conducted in consultation with the appropriate State Historic Preservation Officer and the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 

MARKING COORDINATION

Arrange for and coordinate marking the trail. This will include providing sources for 

markers to Federal, State, and local managing authorities. 

TECHNICAL TRAIL ASSISTANCE

Provide technical assistance to cooperating managing authorities in all aspects of trail 

planning, acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance. 

MONITOR PLAN COMPLIANCE

Monitor the status of trail segments to ascertain their compliance with the plan.

PUBLICATION ASSISTANCE

Promote and provide technical assistance for publication of reports, maps, brochures, and 

interpretive materials relating to the Trail. 

LAND ACQUISITION COORDINATION

State and local governments and private agencies are encouraged to obtain cooperative 

agreements, easements, rights-of-way, and land in fee for the protection and permanency of 

the trail. Federal agencies are prohibited from acquiring land or interests outside their 

exterior boundaries. Condemnation procedures to acquire private land easements will not 

be used by administering agencies (Decision Notice dated July 1, 1985).

ADVISORY COUNCIL ROLE

Sec. 5d of the NTS Act further requires the Secretary to establish an advisory council to aid 

in the development of the comprehensive plan. An advisory council was formed in May 
1989 for the Nez Perce National HistoricTrail. The council includes persons nominated by 

the Governors of Trail 

States (Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming), Federal agencies (Bureau of Land 

Management and National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and Forest 

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture) with the Regional Forester, Northern Region, 

serving for the responsible agency as chairperson. In addition, members from Lapwai, 

Idaho and Nespelem, Washington were selected to represent the Nez Perce people. Other 

members, having demonstrated a continuing interest and knowledge of the historic event, 

were selected at large from the private sector as public representation (see Appendix F for 

Advisory Council membership and charter). 

The purpose of the Advisory Council is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the 

development and management of the Nez Perce Trail. The council represents a variety of 

interested agencies, governments, and organizations in the development of policies, 

programs, and procedures affecting the development and administration of the Nez Perce 

Trail. Responsibility for decisions remains with the Secretary of Agriculture and Forest 

Service in accordance with existing laws and regulations. 

The continuing role of the Council, until completion of its term in 10 years, is to comment 

on and make appropriate recommendations about specific trail segments as they are 

considered for formal additions to the NPNHT system, and to monitor the development 

and concerns of specific user groups or governmental entities on a state-by-state basis. 

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROLE

Outside of federally administered areas, it is the state or local government's role to develop 

applications to designate segments if they meet the criteria established in this Act, and 

agree to administer these segments without expense to the federal government. 

On those portions of high potential route segments that are privately owned, or other 

significant segments nominated by state or local governments, easements may be acquired 

by the state. Condemnation will not be used to acquire route segments that cross private 

land. 

VOLUNTEERS' ROLE

The Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Interior to encourage 

volunteers and volunteer organizations to assist with the development and maintenance of 

the trail. Specifically, the Secretaries are encouraged to utilize the Volunteers in the Parks 

Act of 1969, the Volunteers in the Forests Act of 1972, and Section 6 of the Land and Water 

Conservation Fund Act of 1965. 

Volunteer work may include, but need not be limited toN1(1) planning, developing, 

maintaining, or managing; (2) operating programs to organize and supervise volunteer 

trail-building efforts; and (3) conducting trail-related research projects or providing 

education and training to volunteers.