Decision Framing Overview and Performance of Management Alternatives for Bison and Elk Feedground Management at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming

Authors

Jonathan D. Cook, U.S. Geological Survey
Gavin G. Cotterill, U.S. Geological Survey
Margaret C. McEachran, U.S. Geological Survey
Tabitha A. Graves, U.S. Geological Survey
Eric K. Cole, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Paul C. Cross, U.S. Geological Survey

Document Type

Report

Author ORCID Identifier

Jonathan D. Cook https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7000-8727

Gavin G. Cotterill https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1408-778X

Margaret C. McEachran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8390-451X

Tabitha A. Graves https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5145-2400

Eric K. Cole https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2229-5853

Paul C. Cross https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8045-5213

Journal/Book Title/Conference

USGS

Publisher

U.S. Geological Survey

First Page

1

Last Page

30

Publication Date

8-14-2025

Abstract

This report was developed to evaluate the performance of a set of proposed alternatives for Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) and Bison bison (bison) management at the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming, U.S.A., and to inform a National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement focused on developing the next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” (BEMP). The U.S. Geological Survey facilitated a structured decision-making process for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop the alternatives and the criteria (performance metrics) for evaluating the alternatives.

Chapter A (this chapter) provides scoping details of the “BEMP,” a summary of the 19 metrics used to evaluate the performance of each of the 6 alternatives, and methodological details of 2 performance metrics that were not covered in other technical chapters. Additional technical details, results, and interpretations are briefly covered in this chapter but are mostly contained in chapters B–F.

Recommended Citation

Cook, J.D., Cotterill, G.G., McEachran, M.C., Graves, T.A., Cole, E.K., and Cross, P.C., 2025, Decision Framing Overview and Performance of Management Alternatives for Bison and Elk Feedground Management at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming, chap. A of Cook, J.D., and Cross, P.C., eds., Decision Analysis in Support of the National Elk Refuge Bison and Elk Management Plan: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5076, 19 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255076A. [Supersedes USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5119.]