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1) Planning
commissioners make uneven strides toward improved
Comp Plan • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1) Planning commissioners make uneven strides toward improved Comp Plan Jackson and Teton County planning commissioners are continuing to review and make recommendations on the draft Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan in weekly public meetings, each Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., 200 S. Willow. In September, they completed a preliminary review of Theme One, “Stewardship of Wildlife and Natural Resources,” with the exception of several motions that they’ll most likely vote on during the Oct. 8 hearing. Their recommendations included supporting the Scenic Resources Overlay in the county, adding an SRO to the Town of Jackson, prioritizing agricultural land preservation on lots large and small throughout the county, not just in certain areas, and providing incentives for permanent protection of agricultural open space. In another positive move, they passed a preliminary recommendation that would limit development in the county to what’s currently allowed. Less encouragingly, although the county planning commissioners passed a motion to add a policy regarding funding for conservation easements, their town counterparts flunked it. The motion would have added a strategy allowing the public to vote on permanent funding sources for conservation easements, something our community has supported in polls and surveys throughout the Comp Plan revision process. Another discouraging vote by the town planning commissioners came during discussion about the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s comments regarding Theme One. A motion supported by county planning commissioners to incorporate Game and Fish officials’ recommendations in the plan failed to win the town’s support. The Alliance believes that not including recommendations from the local government wildlife authority is a big mistake. (Whenever one planning commission votes in favor of a motion and the other against it, the planning staff intends to add the information as footnotes to the revised Comp Plan draft for elected official review. If both commissions pass a motion, then it will be incorporated right into the body of the revised draft.) However, planning commissioners will have the chance to revisit these and all of their preliminary Theme One votes at the meeting to finalize those recommendations, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 8, but likely to be extended till Oct. 22. At the Oct. 8 meeting, the town planning commissioners are expected to vote on the last of the preliminary recommendations; two weeks later on the 22nd, public comment on all Theme One recommendations will be taken prior to the final votes. (UPDATE: At the Oct. 8 meeting, the planning commissioners decided to change this process. Instead, they asked the planning staff to rewrite the Theme One chapter, "Promote Stewardship of Wildlife and Natural Resources," incorporating the commissioners' recommendations so far. We don't yet know how long this will take, or when and how the public will be able to read the revised chapter and make comments, but we'll keep you posted.) Visit www.jacksontetonplan.com for links to all the recommendations to date, for agendas for coming meetings and to make comments online. You can also submit written comments via email to Jeff Noffsinger at jnoffsinger@ci.jackson.wy.us or Alex Norton at anorton@tetonwyo.org, or in person at the town or county planning offices. A rundown of the key meetings so far is available by clicking here. The Conservation Alliance will continue to provide detailed comments (available at www.jhalliance.org/library.htm#comments) and to represent our 2,000-plus members at the weekly hearings to ensure that Jackson Hole ends up with a plan that will truly protect our wildlife, natural resources and quality of life. We’re also holding weekly informal discussions on the Comp Plan for interested community members each Tuesday through the fall, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at our office, 685 S. Cache St. Please check back for updates. Background information on the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan is available at www.jhalliance.org/issuescompplan.htm. In a related matter, on Sept. 24, the buildout numbers taskforce presented its preliminary findings, which are available at www.jhalliance.org/Library/Alerts/2009/CompPlanBuildoutTF.9-24-09.pdf. The taskforce is made up of town and county planning staff and representatives of the public, including Paul Hansen and Kristy Bruner from the Alliance. Several weeks ago, planning commissioners asked the group to find out how many units are on the ground in the town and county, and how many more units would be allowed under existing regulations. These numbers will help with figuring out how much development is already permitted by law, and how much development beyond that is appropriate. Also, during their review of Theme One of the draft Comp Plan, the town and county planning commissioners recommended that a proposed Environmental Commission be formed sooner rather than later. On Sept. 14, the Jackson Town Council and Teton Board of County Commissioners jointly agreed that this commission, which will likely make recommendations regarding various development proposals, should be established. Staff will present details at the Oct. 5 joint information meeting, 3 p.m., 200 S. Willow.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 2) Other community planning updates In addition to the Comp Plan, the Alliance continues to keep an eye on numerous other community planning matters. Here’s a roundup, but please bear in mind that all meetings are subject to change. Call the Town of Jackson at (307) 733-3932, Teton County at (307) 733-8094, or reach Kristy Bruner at Kristy@jhalliance.org or (307) 733-9417 for confirmation. If you’d like to comment on any of these issues, contact information for all local public officials is available at www.jhalliance.org/takeactioncontacts.htm. TOWN LDR AMENDMENTS -- Jackson Town Council workshop, Oct. 5, 4 p.m., 150 E. Pearl. This workshop regards various proposed changes to the town’s land development regulations. For details and the agenda, click on the Oct. 5 link at this address: www.townofjackson.com/agendas/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayTownCouncil&contentID=76&navID=76. (UPDATE: At the Oct. 5 meeting, councilors scheduled another workshop for Oct. 19 to discuss two LDR-related items in more depth. One is the town's planned mixed-use development tool; the other is a proposal to allow more than one person to own different structures on single lots in the auto-urban residential zoning district. One single-family residence and two accessory-residential units are allowed on single lots in this district, but current regulations stipulate that all three structures must be owned by one owner. SECOND UPDATE: During the week of Oct. 12, the town postponed the PMD discussion to Oct. 26, and the zone change discussion to Nov. 16.) For background information on the planned mixed-use development tool, visit www.jhalliance.org/Library/Alerts/2009/TownDevelopment.3-09.pdf. RIVER SPRINGS GRAVEL CRUSHING -- Teton Board of County Commissioners, Oct. 6, 9 a.m., 200 S. Willow. On Sept. 15, the county commissioners called a halt to all crushing operations at the River Springs gravel site at the Wilson Bridge and denied the applicant’s request to expand their processing area. On Oct. 6, the commissioners will hear a request that the applicant be allowed to crush and process the material that’s already on the site before permanently ceasing all crushing operations later in the fall. County officials are currently reviewing a gravel study (see next item) to determine where gravel operations can and cannot exist in the future. GRAVEL STUDY -- Teton County Planning Commission, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., 200 S. Willow. In September, the Teton Board of County Commissioners decided that the Teton County Gravel Study 2009 Update should undergo public hearings, which will commence on Oct. 12. (UPDATE: This hearing has been rescheduled to Oct. 26, same time and place.) The study identifies 13 specific parcels in the county as potential sites for long-term gravel extraction and processing, and reassesses supply vs. demand for gravel for construction projects in light of the recession. Due to the impacts of gravel extraction on wildlife, wildlife habitat and the quality of life of adjoining neighbors, the Alliance supports a full public review of this study. We’ll post our comments on the report online later this fall; please check back. ROAD ABOVE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART -- Teton County Planning Commission, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., 200 S. Willow. On Oct. 12, county planning commissioners will hear a request for two variances regarding property across Hwy. 89 from the National Elk Refuge. The applicant, Volunteer Associates, is proposing to put a road up a steep slope to access building sites that are above and to the north of the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The applicant is also proposing an amendment to off-site mitigation regulations. The Alliance plans to support the Teton County planning department’s recommendations to deny these variances, particularly given the site’s location in the Natural Resources Overlay and at a character-defining gateway to Jackson. SEARCH AND RESCUE HELIPAD AT Y INTERSECTION -- Teton County Planning Commission, Oct. 26, 6 p.m., 200 S. Willow. Teton County Search and Rescue is proposing to build a helicopter pad and training facility at the Y intersection of Hwy. 22 and Broadway; county planning commissioners are scheduled to review the application on Oct. 26. (UPDATE: This hearing has been rescheduled to Nov. 9, same time and place.) NEW PMD IN THE WORKS -- At a Sept. 21 workshop, the Jackson Town Council held a pre-application conference with developer Jim Anderson to discuss his upcoming planned mixed-use development application for the corner of Gill and Center. Council members mainly discussed their height and staging preferences, ignoring the question of whether they should accept PMD applications in the middle of the Comp Plan revision. Only Councilor Melissa Turley expressed general opposition to the project, stating that she did not want to entertain any new PMD applications while the town was in the process of revising the PMD tool, unless the applicant met all of the proposed new standards. The Alliance will continue to monitor and comment on this development as it moves through the application process. For background information on the PMD, visit www.jhalliance.org/Library/Alerts/2009/TownDevelopment.3-09.pdf. JAX SOUTH/HOBACK HIGHWAY FINAL EIS NOW EXPECTED IN JANUARY -- The recession has postponed reconstruction of “Jackson South,” the 7-mile section of Hwy. 26/89/189/191 from southern South Park Loop Road to Hoback Junction, until 2016. But Wyoming Department of Transportation officials say they expect to release a final environmental impact statement on the project in January 2010. WYDOT wants to nail down its plans for a 5-lane design of that section, despite opposition from Teton County commissioners, the Alliance and others concerned that so many lanes will fragment habitat and increase hazards for wildlife (not to mention motorists) moving through the valley. The Alliance supports a modified 3-lane alternative similar to one proposed by the county commissioners but rejected by WYDOT engineers as unsafe. Our public comments are available via www.jhalliance.org/library.htm#comments. Stay posted for notice on when you can make comments on the final EIS.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 3) Electeds to continue discussion on Forest Service plans for Jackson Oct. 5 We’re still awaiting an environmental assessment regarding Forest Service land sale and employee housing plans for Jackson that Bridger-Teton officials said would be out in September. This EA, now expected later this month, will describe how much and which parts of the Forest Service’s 15-acre administrative site on North Cache will be offered for sale, as well as detail plans for putting more employee housing at an 80-acre site off Nelson Drive in East Jackson at the popular Putt-Putt trailhead. Due to our concerns about the intensity and types of development that could end up at Jackson’s north gateway, and the potential impacts on wildlife at the Nelson Drive site, the Alliance advocates for the least amount of land to be sold on North Cache, with administrative offices and employee housing to be located on the remaining acreage, rather than at the east edge of Jackson in prime wildlife habitat. We’d also like to see any sale postponed until after the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan revision process is completed; this delay might also result in a better sale price with an improving economy. There will be a 30-day comment period for the EA; we’ll keep you posted. The Teton Board of County Commissioners and the Jackson Town Council are scheduled to continue their Sept. 14 discussion regarding the Forest Service’s plans on Oct. 5, 3 p.m., 200 S. Willow. Also, Michael Schrotz of the B-T will talk about the plans at the Alliance’s Nov. 18 noon info lunch, 685 S. Cache St. Visit www.ProtectThePuttPutt.com for more information regarding people’s concerns about the plans. In other Bridger-Teton news, we’re also still waiting for amendments to the B-T’s 1990 long-range management plan, which were expected to be released last month. Please check back for updates.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 4) Threatened and endangered species updates JUDGE ORDERS REINSTATEMENT OF ESA PROTECTION
FOR GRIZZLIES -- On Sept. 21, a federal judge ordered
that the Yellowstone region’s grizzly bears
be put back under the protection of the Endangered
Species Act. In 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service removed federal protections for the area’s
roughly 600 grizzlies, which had been classified
as a threatened species for the previous 32 years.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said state laws
were inadequate to protect the bears, which face
threats including the decline of a key food source,
whitebark pine nuts. WOLF HUNTS CONTINUE -- In response to a request for an injunction against wolf hunting filed in August by a coalition of conservation groups including the Alliance, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy also issued an order on Sept. 8 finding that the delisting of wolves in the northern Rockies was likely illegal. But he declined to stop wolf hunts in Idaho and Montana, because he said the coalition did not prove that a single hunting season would "irreparably harm" the wolf population as a whole. Since the hunts began in September, hunters have killed 15 wolves in Idaho, which set a quota of 220, and 9 in Montana, where the quota is 75. The coalition decided not to appeal Molloy’s ruling due to fears that it might delay hearings on our main lawsuit, which challenges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision to delist wolves in Idaho and Montana this past spring. (Some 300 wolves in Wyoming remain under federal protection because the state wants them classified in most areas as predators that can be killed on sight.) Please visit www.jhalliance.org/Library/PressReleases/2009/WolfHuntInjunction2PR.9-09.pdf for details about Molloy’s ruling. Visit www.jhalliance.org/issueswolves.htm for background info. COALITION SUPPORTS FEDERAL EFFORTS TO ENSURE CANADA
LYNX RECOVERY -- In September, a federal judge
granted a motion to protect the Canada lynx filed
by six environmental groups including the Alliance.
The judge’s
ruling enables the coalition to intervene in a lawsuit
filed by snowmobilers that challenges the federal
government’s designation of land in Washington,
Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota and Maine as critical
habitat for the rare Canada lynx. Snowmobile advocacy
groups filed suit in May seeking to nullify a February
2009 rule that allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to protect lynx from harmful activities in
areas that are crucial for the species’ survival
and recovery. For instance, by consulting with Fish
and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service can locate
and design snowmobile trails so they don’t
degrade critical lynx habitat. According to Tim Preso
of Earthjustice, which is representing the coalition, “Lynx
need habitat to survive. We want to ensure that the
critical habitat designation can do its work.” 5) Conservation Alliance goes viral We recently launched a Facebook page for the Alliance with the hope of reaching -- and hearing from -- more people through new media social networking. To check it out, visit www.facebook.com, open a free Facebook account and type Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance into the search field. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 6) 1% for the Tetons offers quarterly newsletter As mentioned in the September Alliance Action, the Alliance recently received a grant from 1% for the Tetons, and they’ve asked us to help spread the word about the work they do. (Member businesses donate one percent of their sales to grants for projects supporting sustainability in the Teton region.) For a link to their latest newsletter, click here. If you’d like to subscribe to the 1% for the Tetons newsletter, just click here.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 7) Fall Events Each Tuesday through the fall Sunday, Oct. 4 Wednesday, Oct. 21 Wednesday, Nov. 18 Wednesday, Dec. 2 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 8) Valley Voices “Thousands of candles can
be lit from a single candle, and the life of the
candle will not be shortened. - Buddha
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Alliance Action is a publication of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance. The Conservation Alliance is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to responsible land stewardship in Jackson Hole to ensure that human activities are in harmony with the area’s irreplaceable wildlife, scenic, and other natural resources. We’re located at 685 South Cache Street in Jackson, Wyoming. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 2728, Jackson, WY 83001-2728 and our phone number is (307) 733-9417. If you'd like to sign up to receive our monthly Alliance Action via email, please click here. |
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