Teton Canyon Yurt

Prescription 4.1 Developed Recreation Sites (RFP III-125)

Provide for a variety of concentrated public recreation uses in a roaded-natural setting
based on the character of the areas and visitor’s needs (Goal). This project is intended to
meet a visitor need (family accessible) that currently does not exist in the roaded-natural
setting of the Teton Range.

Protect and enhance a natural appearing environment within and adjacent to the existing
sites to the extent possible while maintaining the existing array of developed recreation
sites (Goal). This project will protect the natural appearing environment by the use of a
heating source that will not produce visible smoke in the Teton Creek Drainage. The yurt
structure will be a light color that will blend in with the surrounding snowpack and snow
covered campground facilities.

Avoid new construction on unstable or highly erosive soil (Goal). This project has been
designed to have no impact on soils due to the use of an existing concrete pad.

On new developments provide adequate vegetation filters to maintain and/or enhance
riparian-dependent resources (Goal). This project will not produce sediment and is
located outside and not adjacent to any riparian area. The yurt site is surrounded by an
adequate vegetation filter.

Findings Required by Other Laws

This decision is consistent with the Targhee Revised Forest Plan as required by the National
Forest Management Act. The project was designed in conformance with forest plan decisions

for:

Provide a quality winter recreation experience while minimizing conflicts between
motorized and nonmotorized use and wintering big game (RFP III-25).

Promote opportunities for backcountry winter recreation (RFP III-25).

Avoid new construction on unstable or highly erosive soil (RFP III-126)

On new developments provide adequate vegetation filters to maintain riparian dependent
resources (RFP III-126)

Implementation Date

This project would be implemented as soon as the notice, and appeal process is completed. If no
problems are encountered, the permittee could implement this project immediately following that
process. It is anticipated that the permittee will be operating this new yurt beginning the
fall/winter of 2013-2014. ‘

Page 5 of 6


Teton Canyon Yurt

= Promote opportunities for backcountry winter recreation (Goal). This project will
provide addition backcountry opportunities targeted specifically for families and the
general public.

= Snowmachines, snowshoes, and dogsleds are prohibited within designated groomed
cross-county ski areas (Standard). This project has mitigated this standard by not
allowing ingress and egress of snowmobile access to the yurt to occur on the groomed
Nordic trail.

= Those areas mapped as winter range on the RFP elk and deer range map are closed to
cross-country snowmachine travel. This direction supersedes direction in access tables
for individual prescriptions (Standard). This project avoids all RFP big game winter
range.

Outfitters and Guides (RFP III-27)

= Outfitter and guide facilities in dispersed nonwilderness areas should be built in less
frequented areas and be temporary. To prevent unacceptable resource damage or
sanitation problems, facilities may be allowed at more heavily used locations. Only
essential facilities should be provided at commercial outfitter camps in accordance with
Greater Yellowstone Area Outfitter Policy camp standards (Goal). This project is located
in a developed recreation facility (Campground), outside any dispersed nonwilderness
area. The project location was selected to avoid unacceptable resource damage or
sanitation issues by utilizing existing campground facilities (power and restrooms) and
locating the yurt structure on an existing concrete group gathering site. This project
approves only one structure (yurt) which is essential for overnight use and is a temporary
structure.

Teton Range Subsection Direction

Recreation (RFP III-56)
= Provide for a variety of opportunities including motorized, nonmotorized, developed and
dispersed recreation uses (Goal). This project is consistent with the stated goal.

Management Prescription
Management prescriptions, a set of management practices, are applied to a specific area of land

to attain multiple-use and other goals and objectives. The purpose of management prescriptions
is to provide a basis for consistently displaying management direction on Forest Service
administered lands. Management prescriptions in the Forest Plan are intended to provide a
general sense of the management direction or treatment of the land where each prescription is
applied. They identify the emphasis and focus of multiple-use management activities in a
specific area; however, emphasis, as used in this context, is defined as a focus or a highlight and
does not necessarily mean exclusive use.

The management prescriptions found in the project area is Prescription 4.1 Developed
Recreation Sites.

Page 4 of 6 =


Teton Canyon Yurt

Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities

This decision is subject to appeal pursuant to Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 215. This
decision is also subject to appeal under 36 CFR 251 (b) as it could affect an authorized use or
occupancy of National Forest Lands. The holders of such authorizations (permittees) can choose
to appeal under either 36 CFR 215 or 36 CFR 251, but not under both parts. The permittees
must choose between 215 or 251. Appeals must meet the content requirements of 36 CFR
215.14. As the deciding officer, per 36 CFR 251.84 I am willing to meet with applicants or
holders to discuss any concerns or issues related to this decision. Only individuals or
organizations who submitted comments or otherwise expressed interest in the project during the
comment period may appeal under 36 CFR 215. Appeals must be postmarked or received by the
Appeal Deciding Officer within 45 days of the publication of this legal notice in the Post
Register, Idaho Falls, Idaho. This date is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an
appeal. Timeframe information from other sources should not be relied on.

Contact Person

For additional information concerning this decision or the Forest Service appeal process, contact
Kurt Kluegel, at PO Box 777, Driggs, Idaho, 83422. Or phone at 208-345-2312.

Cla Fe 6 20/3

JAY PENCE VA Date
District Ranger

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion,
age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an
equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page 6 of 6


Teton Canyon Yurt |

Categorical Exclusion and Decision Memo

Teton Canyon Yurt Proposal

USDA Forest Service
Teton Basin Ranger District, Caribou/Targhee National Forest
Teton County, Wyoming
Boise Meridian, T. 44 N, R. 117 W, Sec 20

Decision

Ihave decided to approve allowing an existing outfitter and guide to locate and operate an
additional yurt into their system. I have also decided to approve an additional 75 days of use for
their permit to meet future demand. A permit amendment to increase use by 75 days will not
occur until the permittee has exhausted all priority use and submitted a written request for
additional priority use. The 20’ yurt will be set on the existing Teton Canyon campground
concrete pad. By utilizing the existing concrete pad, there will be no need to build any
additional permanent structure. Due to its proximity to a maintained Forest access road (#009),
the yurt would be transported in/out of the canyon each fall and spring, eliminating the need for
remote storage. Ideally the yurt would be erected shortly before the road is closed in the fall, and
then dismantled as soon as the access road is passable in the spring. Specific details will be
agreed upon in the operating plan.

Clients would utilize the existing outhouse (Photo 1). The yurt permittee will be required to
work with the campground concessionaire to maintain and pump this facility and pay for any
electrical use (pump-house photo 2) commensurate with their use. This eliminates the potential
to disturb soils or pollute groundwater. Permittee will utilize pellet or other heat source
technology to further minimize the impact the surrounding landscape. The permittee will work
with the current campground concessionaire to insure that all winter operations are compatible
with the summer campground operations, regulations and insurance policies, including waste
management and electricity (Photo 2).

Vehicles will be limited to two cars per group in the Teton Canyon winter parking area to reduce
the congestion at the trail head. The overnight group size will be limited to six to eight
participants. Permittee will work with the local landowners in the area, Teton County Wyoming
and the grooming contractor (currently Teton Valley Trails and Pathways) to insure that
overnight parking does not interfere with snow plowing operations (again this should be
documented in the Operating Plan). The permittee has committed to providing appropriate
reimbursement for plowing costs associated with their activity.

Snow machines, which are legal in the area, shall only be allowed for ingress and egress using a
route parallel to the groomed Nordic ski trail. Snow machines will not be allowed to use the
Nordic ski trail. Yurt renters will be advised of this and it will be noted that the yurt is not used
or intended for recreational snow machine riding. The Operating Plan will designate parking for
vehicles that transport snowmobiles. Misuse of snow machines by the permittee or clients in this

Page 1 of 6



Teton Canyon Yurt | 20

congested canyon could lead to the authorization for snowmobile access to be removed from this
permit.

As with the other three yurt locations, dogs will not be allowed at the yurt due to sanitary reasons
and potential wildlife impacts. A specific area near the yurt will be fenced off (temporary fence)
to insure that the culinary snow meant to be melted for drinking water, is not contaminated.

The permittee will also have to comply with the food storage order for bears. Other yurt
operations will be similar to what currently functions at the three existing sites. For example:
pack it in/pack it out, melting snow for water, either propane or electric cooking stoves and
lanterns as a means to prepare meals and provide lighting.

Purpose and Need for This Project

The purpose of this project is to respond to a proposal from the permittee for an additional yurt
located in Teton Canyon that is accessible to the general public. Currently the three yurt sites
serve only expert skiers due to vertical climb of over 2,800 feet with a full backpack and
supplies. Demand from novice to intermediate skiers and backcountry users cannot be
accommodated due to mountainous terrain and long steep approaches. Locating a rental yurt in
Teton Canyon will accommodate a much larger portion of the public, including young families,
than the yurt system currently severs.

The proposed location at the Teton Canyon Campground is within Forest Prescription 4.1
Developed Recreation Sites. The 1997 RFP gives the following guidance for developed
recreation sites:
Provide for a variety of concentrated public recreation uses in a roaded-natural setting
based on the character of the area and visitor needs (Goal).

On new developments provide adequate vegetation filters to maintain and /or enhance
riparian dependent resources (Goal).

Location of the Project and Description
This project is located in Teton County, Wyoming T. 44 N, R. 117 W, Sec 20.
(See project map) and attached pictures.

Proposed Yurt Location

Peet
7

Figure 1: Project Map

Page 2 of 6



Teton Canyon Yurt

ies iG
Photo uthouse in background. Photo2: Campground well-house

(electricity).
Agency and Public Involvement

A press release was published in the Valley Citizen on August 29, 2012 and also in the Teton
Valley News on August 30, 2012. A public scoping meeting was held September 5, 2012 at the
Driggs City Center. A Legal Notice was published September 8, 2012 in the Idaho Falls Post
Register providing public notice of the opportunity to comment.

In response to the public scoping listed above, Teton Basin Ranger District received 3 comments
in support of the yurt proposal and 1 comment that expressed concerns. The primary concern
was additional use and noise in Teton Canyon and how it would affect a morning coffee break
while in Teton Canyon.

On January 3, 2013 Teton Basin received a letter of concurrence from U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service on the yurt proposal.

Consistency with Targhee Revised Forest Plan

Revised Targhee Forest Plan Direction (RFP)

The Forest Plan establishes long-term management direction for the Forest and contains
management standards to achieve forest-wide multiple-use goals and objectives. Ecological
subsection and Management prescriptions were also established based on ecological units and
management themes. Each subsection and associated management prescription has specific
goals, objectives, and standards that supplement forest-wide standards listed in the Forest Plan.

Forest-Wide Guidance

Winter Recreation (RFP III-25)
= Provide a quality winter recreation experience while minimizing conflicts between
motorized and non-motorized use and wintering big game (Goal). Mitigation has been
included in the project design to minimize conflicts between user groups.

Page 3 of 6