2026 COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATION OPERATING PLAN FOR TOWING AND AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES – EXHIBIT B 

This Operating Plan between the CUA holder and Yellowstone National Park (hereinafter referred to as Service) will serve as supplement to the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) for Towing and Automotive Services. It describes specific operating responsibilities of the CUA holder and the Service with regard to those purposes authorized by the CUA.

1) The Purposes of this plan are:
a) To provide a system for dispatching commercial tow truck operators to wrecked, disabled, or abandoned motor vehicles within Yellowstone National Park and on Highway 191 within the boundary of Yellowstone National Park.
b) To ensure safe and efficient operating procedures for towing and automotive services within Yellowstone.
c) To clarify the protocol for dispatching operators to provide automotive services, including tire repair, RV repair service, RV appliance repair service, and locksmith service to accommodate park visitors.
d) To abide by the terms and conditions outlined in the CUA and all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Definitions:
1. Law Enforcement Officer – U. S. National Park Service Park Ranger or other law enforcement officer with assigned authority in Yellowstone National Park – State Highway Patrol, County, or municipal law enforcement (Sheriff or town police).
2. Call-Out Rotation System – Administrative system in place in Yellowstone National Park to respond to calls and arrange for assistance. The system and list are managed by the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center (YICC) and administered by appropriate District U.S. National Park Service Park Rangers.
3. Towing Services – Services to provide towing and rescue operations for motor vehicles.
4. Tire Repair Services – Services to provide tire repair or replacement.
5. Automobile Locksmith Services – Service to provide assistance with car lockout and key services, including key replacement, key cutting, replacement keys/key fobs, and key extraction.
6. RV Repair - Repair service required to repair, maintain, and replace components required to safely operate recreational vehicles.
7. RV Appliance Repair – Repair of RV appliances and equipment not essential to the safe operation of the vehicle, including but not limited to: air conditioners, furnaces, plumbing, refrigeration, generators, and electrical systems.
2) Yellowstone National Park Provisions
a) The CUA holder will provide the services identified under Item 4 of their CUA on a “called upon basis”.
b) All drivers shall present themselves in a professional manner and dress that identifies them as roadside assistance (wearing of safety vests is mandatory).
c) Traffic cones are required if the disabled vehicle and/or towing truck in any way impedes traffic flows or patterns.
d) Commercial tow truck operators must have the ability to communicate with law enforcement officers and the YICC (i.e., satellite phone, radio, cell phone).
e) The initial operator will be responsible for:”
1. Scene coordination as it pertains to “recovery”.
2. Submitting all billing information to the appropriate entity.
3. Paying the second commercial towing operator all submitted invoices within 30 days.
f) Commercial operator vehicles must be marked with their company logo and employees will be identified by some type of uniform or standard clothing.
g) Commercial operators will provide the following documentation to YNP Business and Commercial Services Office:
i) Certificate of Insurance – provide with the CUA application, upon expiration of the previous policy, and if changes are made to the current policy.
(1) The CUA holder shall assume liability for, and does hereby agree to save, hold harmless protect and indemnify the United States of America, its agents and employees from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages or judgments (including without limitation attorney’s fees and experts’ fees) of any kind and nature whatsoever on account of fire or other peril, bodily injury, death or property damage, or claims for bodily injury,
death or property damage of any nature whatsoever, and by whomsoever made, in any way connected with or arising out of the activities of the CUA holder, its employees, agents or contractors under the CUA. This indemnification shall survive the termination or expiration of the CUA.
(2) Annual Financial Report NPS Form 10-660 due January 31st following the operating year of January 1st through December 31st.
• This report relays information on gross receipts the commercial operator received during the CUA operating year for business performed in YNP.
h) Appropriate DOT decals will be prominently displayed on the vehicles.
i) Violation of any park regulation or terms of this CUA may result in issuance of a violation notice, suspension of privileges granted by this CUA, or revocation of this CUA.
3) General Operating Standards - Towing Operations
a) The National Park Service will first dispatch a request for towing service, tire repair, and vehicle/RV repair to Yellowstone Park Service Stations (YPSS). If YPSS cannot respond, or if the YICC is unable to reach YPSS, YPSS or YICC will contact the next CUA holder on the rotation list and that CUA holder will have 2 hours to respond.
b) A rotation call-out system will be in place and followed as established and administered by YICC.
i) The rotation may be impacted by specific needs of a call, such as specialized equipment, vehicle capacity, location, and safety concerns. CUA holders providing this service should ensure the Concessions Office is aware of all of its capabilities by completing the Towing and Automotive Services application questions found at: add website.
c) Two towing rotation systems will be implemented and managed by YICC:
i) Heavy Recovery
(1) Any vehicle over 9000GVW and/or vehicles larger than a typical SUV, dual wheel pick-up trucks, etc.
ii) Light Recovery
(1) Standard vehicles, SUV, dual wheel pick-up trucks, etc.
iii) The law enforcement officer on scene will make the determination of Heavy verses Light Recovery if necessary. If a law enforcement officer is not on scene, the determination will be based off information provided by the vehicle owner
d) YPSS has the first right of refusal during its operating season generally between the months of April and October. If a CUA holder gets a call directly from a visitor for towing during this time, the company must contact YPSS prior to providing the requested service. If YPSS refuses the call for service, the CUA holder must then notify the YICC at 307-344-2640 to confirm that they (CUA holder) have contacted YPSS directly and to make logistical arrangements for the service.
e) On Highway 191 and in the Bechler area, YPSS does not need to be contacted, however the CUA holder must still contact the YICC. The YICC will notify law enforcement of the request and the CUA holder is free to provide the service after notification.
4) General Operating Standards - Vehicle/RV Repair and Tire Repair
a) YICC will maintain a rotation list for vehicle/RV repair and tire repair.
i) YPSS will be contacted first for calls related to vehicle/RV repair and tire repair. If they cannot be reached or cannot respond, YPSS or YICC will contact the next CUA holder on the rotation list and the CUA will have limited time to respond.
b) If a CUA holder gets a call directly from a visitor for vehicle/RV or tire repair, the company must notify the YICC at 307-344-2640 to confirm that they (CUA holder) have contacted YPSS directly to make logistical arrangements for the repair. With the exception of Highway 191, and Bechler area, where the YICC will notify law enforcement of the request and the CUA holder is free to take the call as it is an owner’s direct request for service after notification.
5) General Operating Standards - Locksmith and RV Appliance Repair
a) The National Park Service will keep an updated list of operators to provide services for locksmith and RV appliance repair. These operators may be contacted by NPS, YPSS, law enforcement officers, or by clients directly. They may respond to calls as they are received.
6) These standards are to be followed in compliance with Towing and Repair Protocol provided on the following pages.
Towing and Repair Service Protocol
Purpose:
The purpose of this protocol is to implement a policy for dispatching and handling vehicle towing and repair service requests within YNP, excluding Highway 191, Grassy Lake Road, and Bechler area.
Concessions Management Office:
The Concessions Management Office manages the permits of all business that offer towing services in the park. The office will provide a list of towing operators that are permitted to operate inside Yellowstone to the YICC and each of the entrance stations. See “Other towing providers,” below. It will update that list as changes are made. It will also take the lead on revising the towing protocol if necessary.
YPSS as the Park’s Primary Towing and Repair Service Provider:
Yellowstone Park Services Stations (YPSS) holds a concession contract. The contract allows the company to operate facilities inside the park and requires it to provide towing and repair services from late May until early October. Therefore, YPSS is the park’s primary towing and repair service provider and is the first company the YICC and field rangers call when a visitor requests towing and repair services during their operating season.
By May 1 of each year, YPSS will verify and/or provide the Concessions Management office and the YICC with the phone number the Service is to call to reach YPSS. The phone number provided will roll over to multiple other phone numbers as programmed by YPSS until answered. Once YPSS answers the call, the YPSS agent will coordinate YPSS’s response OR, alternatively, the YPSS agent will contact one of Yellowstone’s towing CUA holders to respond to the call if YPSS is unable to respond within two hours or chooses not to respond to the call. In the event the YICC is unable to reach YPSS at the phone number provided, YICC will contact one of the park’s towing CUA holders to respond to the call-in accordance with the rotation list process described above.
YICC (for towing and vehicle repair services only):
The YICC and law enforcement officers in the field will call YPSS first to provide towing and vehicle repair services.
The YICC will notify visitors requesting towing services that YPSS is the primary towing provider in the park and is the most readily available. Note: Since YPSS does not submit towing bills to towing insurers, such as AAA, visitors will have to pay YPSS and then submit their bills themselves.
Other Towing Providers:
A number of companies located outside the park hold CUAs to provide services in Yellowstone. The YICC or a law enforcement officer may call one of these CUA holders for any of the following reasons:
1. YPSS is unable to respond to the request within two hours.
2. YICC is unable to have direct contact with YPSS at the number provided by YPSS.
3. Protection of life, health, or safety as determined by the law enforcement officer’s best professional judgment.
4. Protection of resources from damage, as determined by the law enforcement officer’s best professional judgment.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS 2026 SPECIAL PARK CONDITIONS

In addition to the conditions mentioned above, the following conditions apply to all CUAs operating in Yellowstone National Park:

Definitions:
CUA holder or authorized agent(s) hereinafter referred to as Holder

1. Damages - The holder will leave the area(s) authorized for use under this permit in substantially the same condition as it was prior to the activities authorized herein and shall pay the United States for any damage resulting from this use which would not reasonably be inherent in the authorized use.
2. The holder will not advertise, solicit business, collect any fees, or sell any goods or services on lands owned and controlled by the United States Government. All advertisements, including brochures, rack cards, and websites must include a statement that the holder is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service. CUA holders (Holder) are not authorized to use the NPS arrowhead or Authorized Concessioner Mark.
3. Advertisements for trips in Yellowstone National Park must list all authorized outfitters involved with each trip package and who will be conducting each service for clients.
4. Third parties that offer packages or sell trips for authorized outfitters must clearly state the name of the permitted business conducting trips within Yellowstone National Park. Similarly, CUA holders who partner with other authorized outfitters must disclose in their advertising the name of the authorized business responsible for any services they are not authorized to provide. For example, “Fishing services advertised by Wonderland Photography are conducted by commercial authorization permit holder, Bella’s Fly Fishing, LLC.” “Snowcoach transportation will be provided by Chilly Bear Tours an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service”.
5. The holder should provide a courtesy notification to the Yellowstone Public Affairs Office prior to speaking to members of the media regarding park management or park operational topics. Holders do not need to provide a courtesy notification regarding media inquiries concerning their operation. For example, a holder should provide a courtesy notification for comment provided to media outlets regarding ‘viral’ incidents (fatalities, weather events and natural disasters, wildlife encounters, etc.), but does not need to provide notification for public interest articles about their business (e.g. comments on how ecotourism companies affect the local economy). Yellowstone’s Public Affairs Office may be reached at; yell_public_affairs@nps.gov.
6. Activity-based CUAs are issued for a maximum of one year, expiring on December 31st of the operating year regardless of date the CUA was issued. Service-based CUAs are issued for a maximum of two years, expiring on December 31st of the second operating year regardless of the date the CUA was issued.
7. No more than one CUA will be issued to an applicant for the same activity category (inclusive of its individual owners and employees). However, applicants may apply for CUAs for more than one activity category.
8. To protect park wildlife, the following are prohibited:
• Knowingly approaching, remaining, viewing or engaging in any activity:
• Within 25 yards of any wildlife, except bears, wolves, and cougars.
• Within 100 yards of bears, wolves, and cougars.
• Willfully using a motor vehicle to approach wildlife or in a manner that disturbs, displaces, or interferes with the free unimpeded movement of wildlife is prohibited.
• Within any distance that disturbs, displaces, or interferes with the free unimpeded movement of any wildlife.
• Within any distance that creates or contributes to a potentially hazardous condition or situation.
• Failing to remove oneself to prescribed distances during inadvertent, accidental, or surprise encounters with wildlife.
9. CUA holders and their employees must report the following immediately to 911:
• All fatalities
• All known or suspected violations of law.
• Injuries, property damage, and motor vehicle accidents that necessitate a Law Enforcement response. The caller should be prepared to provide information regarding the incident, location, number and age of parties needing assistance, known injuries, current responsiveness of injured parties, and assistance being provided.
• Incidents adversely affecting the Area’s resources that necessitate a Law Enforcement response.
10. All of the below must be reported within 24 hours of the incident to Yellowstone Commercial Services by emailing yell_cua_admins@nps.gov:
• All fatalities
• Known or suspected violations of the law within or affecting the CUA holder’s operation including, but not limited to, traffic citations, food storage citations, etc.
• Employee or visitor injuries requiring evacuation or more than minor first aid treatment.
• Property and motor vehicle accident damage over $300.
• All incidents adversely affecting the area's resources.
• Reports should include date, time, location, and nature of incident. Do not provide visitor’s personal identifiable information in medical/injury report.
11. CUA holders and employees are prohibited from possessing firearms while performing authorized commercial activity within the park. CUA holders are responsible for determining whether state or local laws allow the possession of firearms by their clients.
12. The CUA holder may use legally obtained plant, animal, geological and cultural specimens for guest educational purposes only. Clients must be advised that possessing, destroying, removing, or disturbing specimens in a National Park is strictly prohibited. To comply with park policy, all such specimens or parts thereof must remain inside the vehicle while operating in Yellowstone National Park. All wildlife parts such as antlers, pelts or feathers, must remain out of sight of all other (non- client) visitors while within park boundaries. CUA holders must request, complete, and carry a Permit to Transfer form from the entrance station to identify specimens brought into the park for educational purposes. CUA holders can contact the visitor service office for additional information at: 307-344- 2106 or yell_visitor_services@nps.gov.
13. For activity-based CUAs and guided activities, all paid and unpaid staff participating in authorized commercial service must meet guide requirements. Guides must be at least 18 years of age and trained in basic safety, resource protection, Leave No Trace principles, park rules and regulations, and the requirements
of the CUA terms, special park conditions, and operating plans. The Holder must ensure that all employees working in the park are adequately trained to safely and competently perform the services authorized and comply with the conditions of this CUA. In the event of a violation or infraction, responsibility and liability will generally be placed upon the Holder, including citations, warnings, and fines. However, the National Park Service retains the right to cite, warn, and fine employees associated with a commercial operator.
14. At a minimum, guides must be currently certified in standard first aid and CPR. One guide in each group must carry a first aid kit suitable for their level of certification and containing adequate materials for the number of clients they are guiding. Additional certifications may be required based on the CUA activity. Required guide certifications for each CUA activity can be found in Attachment A – Authorized Services, Required Documentation, and Training.
15. While in Yellowstone, the CUA holder or guide is responsible for their clients for the guided portion of the trip. CUA holders must arrange travel needed to transport clients back to their original meeting location (i.e., client’s vehicle within park, hotel in or out of park) for clients that are separated from the tour group due to missing tour group departure, misconduct, or seeking treatment at a medical clinic. Guides must always remain with unaccompanied minors.
16. Supplies/Materials/Storage: The holder shall not store supplies/materials/equipment in the park unless specifically authorized under an operating plan or special written approval. Trailers may not be left unattached and unattended within the park boundary except for reserved campgrounds and concessioner lodging accommodations with appropriate approval from location manager.
17. The CUA holder will ensure that clients and guides are properly clothed and equipped for the authorized activity.
18. For activity-based CUAs and guided activities, the CUA holder or guide shall provide all clients with an orientation prior to the trip which emphasizes safe practices in bear habitat, Leave No Trace ethics, NPS mission, park rules and regulations, proper distances for wildlife viewing, and specific nature, demands, and dangers of the trip in which they are participating. The Superintendent’s Compendium regarding park regulations can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm
19. In accepting this Authorization, the Holder acknowledges that the proposed activity, in order to qualify for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), must bear a direct relationship to the purpose for which the Park was established; for example, visitor understanding and enjoyment of the park. Even though the activity may be primarily recreational in nature, the Holder agrees to provide time, stops, and talks to accurately explain the natural ecosystems, history, and culture within the park, to their clientele.
20. This authorization does not confer exclusive use of any area in the park. All groups must honor the rights of others and always conduct themselves in an orderly manner. The Holder agrees to carry out the services authorized under this CUA in a safe, professional, and courteous manner and that causes no damage to the natural/cultural resources or facilities within the park.
21. “Foot travel in all thermal areas, and within the Yellowstone Canyon between the Upper Falls and Inspiration Point, must be confined to boardwalks or trails that are maintained for such travel and are marked by official signs.” 36 CFR, Ch1, se. 7.13(i) In such areas, no off-trail travel is allowed; stay on designated boardwalks and trails. Off-trail travel in backcountry areas without thermal
features is generally not encouraged but is not prohibited if backcountry activities are authorized in the holder's CUA category and the area is not closed to human entry.
22. Guides may not meet clients at NPS Visitor Centers. Guides may not meet clients on park concessioner’s land assignments without permission from the concessioner’s location manager.
23. The CUA holder will not conduct any form of guided activity that conflicts with or disrupts National Park Service ranger-led interpretive programs or conducted activities (i.e., talking over someone, crowding at locations where another group is already meeting, etc.).
24. The CUA holder must provide all visitor services in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the Park’s strategic priorities, interpretive goals and objectives. CUA holders and guides can access the interpretive plans and other resources at the following links: Comprehensive Interpretive and Education Plan, Strategic Priorities, Yellowstone Foundation Document, and Resources for Commercial Guides.
25. CUA holders will contact their state’s Department of Transportation to determine if a DOT number is required. If a DOT number is required, it must be displayed on the vehicle with required documentation carried in the vehicle.
26. All vehicles transporting clients and conducting tours must display the following information on both sides of their vehicles (step-on and stream & shoreline guides are exempt from this requirement):
• Company name to which the CUA is issued,
• Department of Transportation number, if required,
• Letters must contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed,
• Markings must be legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet with the vehicle stationary.
27. All guides providing tours under an activity-based CUA are required to display the name of the CUA holder’s company on their person while providing tours/guide services within the park that distinguishes them as a guide or staff member. Guides may meet this requirement by wearing, at a minimum, one of the following: nametag, jacket, shirt, or hat.
28. Employee and guide documentation requirements:
• Service-based CUAs - drivers must carry a physical copy of the first page of their CUA while operating in the park.
• Activity-based CUAs – One guide in each tour group must have a physical copy of the first page of their CUA. One guide must carry a physical or digital copy of their CUA operating plan. CPR/First Aid/ Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder/ Emergency Medical. Technician certification cards and driver's licenses must be carried at all times while operating in the park (digital copies of certifications will suffice).
29. All paid and unpaid staff associated with activity-based CUAs must be certified and registered guides. CUA holders must submit a list of authorized guides including their relevant certifications to the online 2026 Guide List Form. CUA holders operating under an activity-based CUA must ensure that guides possess current certification/training requirements for their respective activity categories. The Park will complete spot checks of guide certifications throughout the year as part of the CUA Administrative and Field Monitoring Plan.
30. Holder will be held responsible for ensuring entrance fees are paid by all participants within park boundaries, regardless of entering through an official manned entry station. Under 36CFR 2.23(b),
failure to pay the designated entrance fee upon entering Yellowstone National Park may result in a fine and the suspension or revocation of your permit.
Entrance Fees:
• Guides/employees of commercial operators conducting business inside the park must identify themselves at entrance stations by presenting the first page of their approved CUA form.
• Guides are prohibited from using their personal annual or lifetime pass to cover client’s park entrance fees. Participants aged 16 and older must pay applicable entrance fees of $20 per person. Clients may use their own personal annual or lifetime passes to cover this entry fee.
• Park passes for those not entering through a manned entrance station may be purchased in advance at Yellowstone National Park Site Pass in Wyoming - Recreation.gov.
• Guides/employees of commercial operators entering the park to recreate personally must pay appropriate entrance fees and may not use their CUA.
31. In accordance with RM-83A, if handling, transporting, and/or preparing food for clients that fall into levels 2 – 6 of the table below, then guides preparing and handling food must be a certified food handler.
• Food prepared by guides prior to a trip in the park must be prepared in a commercially-licensed kitchen. Food may not be prepared inside private homes (unless commercially-licensed), hotel rooms, or vehicles.

32. Activity Operating Plan - The holder will abide by the applicable activity-specific operating plan. I hereby confirm that myself, all guides, and all relevant employees will be trained in the requirements of this CUA, the Yellowstone CUA Special Park Conditions, and Operating Plan.
33. Failure on the part of the permittee (CUA holder, authorized Agents, and employees) to abide by the provisions of the permit (CUA) is citable under 36 CFR Section 1.6 (g) and Section 5.3. and may result in revocation, suspension, or denial. Yellowstone National Park’s Commercial Use Authorization Application Denial and CUA Revocation Standard Operating Procedures can be found at https://www.nps.gov/yell/getinvolved/application-process-and-required-documents.htm.