WHALES of Teton Valley • Entered by Liz McCane on June 1, 2025
Grand Targhee expansion draft EIS town hall meeting
May 8, 2025
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | |
| Post Admin hours | |
| Activity Hours | 2.5 |
| Participants | 6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Several environmental nonprofits in Teton Valley hosted this meeting for the public. Winter Wildlands Alliance, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development were among them.
Landscape/area: Caribou-Targhee National Forest (WY) (2624739 acres)
Short Description of Activity
The organizers projected maps of the proposed expansion into Caribou-Targhee National Forest and presented the five alternatives listed in the Draft EIS. They gave suggestions on how ti write an effective comment letter.
Reflection/Evaluation
The meeting was well-attended, as this decision will affect everyone in the Valley in one way or another. All tax revenue will go to Wyoming, while Idaho will suffer unreimbursed socioeconomic costs. The proposed expansion conflicts with the current Forest Management Plan, which sets aside winter ranges for vulnerable species such as Bighorn Sheep and Whitebark Pine. One of the areas proposed for intensive skiing terrain, including several lifts, a road and snowmaking equipment would be immediately adjacent to the Jedediah Smith Wilderness.