Teton Interagency Fire Employees Receive 2010 Regional Awards

Mack McFarland

Martha Williamson

May 31, 2011
11-37

On behalf of the National Park Service Intermountain Region (IMR), Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott and Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Jacque Buchanan presented Teton Interagency Fire employees with awards for excellence in fire management. Grand Teton National Park Assistant Fire Management Officer Mack McFarland received the IMR Interagency Fire Management Leadership Award and Martha Williamson, Teton Interagency fire planner, received the IMR Fire Management Achievement Award.

McFarland’s leadership award recognizes his exemplary service and dual role for the past three years as a fuels specialist for Grand Teton National Park and as the north zone assistant fire management officer for fuels on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

“Mack had the vision and skills to effectively work within each agency’s constraints and overcome any obstacles to successfully complete fuels treatment projects for both agencies,” said IMR Fire Management Officer Michael Davin. “Mack is a great example of a service-first approach that is truly working.”

McFarland began working seasonally at Grand Teton in 1990 and became a permanent employee in 1996. During his tenure as the interagency fuels specialist, McFarland managed several large-scale projects: the multi-year Lower Gros Ventre Prescribed Fire and the Buffalo Valley Fuels Environmental Assessment, among others.

“On behalf of the Intermountain Region, I extend our thanks and appreciation to Mack McFarland for his dedication and commitment to the teamwork, integration and cooperation between the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park,” said IMR Director John Wessels. “His skills in 'leading by example' demonstrates a genuine interagency spirit.”

Williamson came to Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park as the interagency fire planner and fire GIS specialist in 2008. She earned the fire achievement award for her significant GIS support and contributions in training for the IMR Wildland Fire and Aviation Management Program.

“Martha provided invaluable direction in creating hands-on training for National Parks Service fire personnel within the Wildland Fire Decision Support System,” said IMR Director John Wessels. “In addition, she participated in and provided direction for our regional fire geo-database. Martha works hard to find practical solutions to fire spatial analysis, risk assessment and solution development to better protect people, firefighters, and natural resources.”

The Intermountain Region of the National Park Service spans eight states from Montana to Texas, and includes 92 parks and national historic sites.

Park Officials Troubled by Increase in Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

Over 160 animals were hit & killed by vehicles on park roads in 2010.

May 24, 2011
11-36

Grand Teton National Park plans to redouble efforts to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on park roads. Each year, motor vehicles cause the deaths of well over 100 animals, resulting in a significant toll to park wildlife. Over the past few years, park rangers and biologists have documented trends related to wildlife-vehicle collisions in an attempt to make park roads safer for both people and animals.

Since 2000, the number of animals killed on park roads has steadily increased. In fact, a 31% rise in wildlife-vehicle collisions occurred between 2008 and 2010. While an average of 104 animals are killed annually on park roads, an unparalleled 162 vehicle-caused deaths were tallied in 2010 alone. Included in the 2010 data were 48 elk,
41 deer, 17 bison, 6 pronghorn, 5 moose, 5 bears, and 2 wolves. Park biologists believe this tally is likely higher as some collisions are never reported. This unprecedented increase in vehicle-caused wildlife deaths came despite a proactive education/ prevention campaign launched in 2006.

Records of wildlife-vehicle collisions indicate certain trends and patterns. Statistics show that most of the accidents occurred between dawn and dusk along Highway 26/89/191 between Moose and Moran junctions where the speed limit is posted as 55 mph. A number of collisions also occurred between the Gros Ventre River Bridge and Jackson Hole Airport Junction. Drivers involved in wildlife collisions were almost equally as often local residents as they were out-of-state visitors; most commonly the drivers were males traveling alone or with one passenger. Speed was often the biggest factor in these collisions, particularly at night when drivers exceeded the range of their headlights. Motorists who overdrive their high beams—when the stopping distance is greater than the headlight illumination distance—are less able to stop or slow down with the sudden appearance of an animal on the road. Drivers are cautioned to observe posted speed limits and even reduce their speed, especially at night.

Park managers plan to implement new prevention measures in an effort to reverse the recent trend in animal deaths from vehicle collisions. Flashing message boards will be placed at various wildlife crossings and collision hotspots; and stationary signs will be posted at seasonally active areas. In addition, the Highway 26/89/191 speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph from the park’s south boundary to Moose Junction while construction of the multi-use pathway is underway. During this same time, park staff will closely monitor wildlife-vehicle collisions to determine if there is a related decline in animal deaths. Data collected will inform future decisions about possible actions that can be taken to control traffic, such as seasonal speed limits to slow vehicles during wildlife migrations on Highway 89 in Grand Teton National Park. Rangers may also increase patrols to educate motorists about being alert for wildlife and enforce speed limits.

Park roads wind through expansive sagebrush flats—and through some of best habitat in the country for elk, deer, bison, pronghorn, moose and bears. The same conditions that make Grand Teton a global destination for wildlife-viewing also make it a challenge for wildlife-vehicle collisions as animals regularly cross and travel near park roads. Park officials remind motorists to stay alert, slow down and give wildlife a break—especially during low-light conditions from dusk to dawn when animals may be difficult to see. Drivers should expect the unexpected with regard to wildlife that travel near and across park roads.

The reduction of vehicle-caused wildlife deaths is everyone’s responsibility.

Temp Closure of Moose-Wilson Road on May 25

May 20, 2011
11-35 

A brief travel closure will be in effect on the unpaved section of the Moose-Wilson Road within Grand Teton National Park for about 28 hours, beginning at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25. The road is scheduled to reopen by 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, barring equipment malfunction or rainy weather. The temporary closure is scheduled to accommodate dust abatement work.

Road crews will complete this project in the shortest time possible. Local residents and park visitors are advised to plan ahead and use an alternate route because this temporary closure prevents the ability to make a ‘through trip’ on the Moose-Wilson Road.

For those wishing to reach the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve or Death Canyon trailhead, access will be possible by driving south from the junction with the Teton Park Road near the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming.

To alert travelers of the expected daytime road closure, electronic signs will be placed on Wyoming Highway 390, beginning Tuesday, May 24. For motorists heading south to Teton Village from Moose, signs will also be placed at the junction of the Teton Park Road.

The product used for dust abatement is a slurry of magnesium chloride—the same product that is used to treat dirt roads in and around Jackson Hole. This product coats the road surface, but it can also adhere to the undercarriage of vehicles. Therefore, motorists who drive this portion of the Moose-Wilson Road after it reopens on Thursday may want to rinse off their vehicles to eliminate any residue.

Volunteers Needed as Pathway Ambassadors

Volunteers serve as pathway ambassadors during summer season.

May 19, 2011
11-34
For the third year, Grand Teton National Park is recruiting for volunteers interested in serving as ambassadors for the multi-use pathway that extends from Dornan’s in the Moose area to South Jenny Lake. Volunteer ambassadors will patrol the eight-mile-long paved pathway on foot, bicycle or roller blades to meet and greet other pathway users and offer information about the “rules of the road,” as well as provide emergency assistance in the event of an accident, injury, or equipment malfunction.

Volunteers who choose to become a Grand Teton pathway ambassador will join a cadre of park employees who are trained to educate people about how to safely and responsibly use this popular new route. Through a gentle informal approach, volunteer ambassadors will also provide proactive information regarding protection of park wildlife and other resources. In addition, volunteers will serve as good Samaritans, assisting anyone who may require first aid or need a minor bike repair. Ambassadors will also tally visitor statistics for documentation of pathway use.

While in volunteer status on the pathway, official ambassadors will wear a National Park Service jersey, vest, or other recognizable and authorized clothing. These appropriate clothing items will be supplied by Grand Teton National Park.

A pathway ambassador orientation and training session will be arranged for those interested in the program. To learn more about this opportunity or sign up as a participant, contact Sara Petsch, volunteer coordinator at 307.739.3397.

NOTE: New this year, an automated self-serve machine is now in operation on the multi-use pathway adjacent to the Moose Entrance Station. People traveling on the paved pathway by foot, bike, or rollerblade will be required to stop and pay $12 for a 7-day entry permit, or have in possession a previously purchased pass. Personal identification is required with any pass that requires a signature, so pathway users should carry an ID along with their park pass.

The pathway that runs from Dornan’s to the south Jenny Lake area will become fully accessible as the snow cover naturally melts.

Road & Pathway Construction Projects for 2011

Speed limit will be reduced to 45mph on Hwy 89
from south boundary to Moose Jct. for next 5 months

May 16, 2011

11-33

Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott announced today that road and pathway construction projects will be underway at various locations throughout the park, resulting in reduced speed limits and minor traffic delays for much of the 2011 summer season. Travelers are advised to call the road conditions line at 307.739.3614 for current and specific information. The park’s newspaper, Grand Teton Guide, includes a road construction map for further reference and can be picked up at any park entrance station or visitor center or found online at www.nps.gov/grte.

NOTE: Because of the several delays that may be encountered, motorists are encouraged to plan for extra travel time to reach their destinations.

On June 1st, construction will start on the multi-use pathway that runs from the Gros Ventre River to Moose Junction. As a result, the SPEED LIMIT ON HIGHWAY 26/89/191 will be REDUCED to 45 MPH from the park’s south boundary near Fish Hatchery Hill to Moose Junction. The speed limit change is necessary to provide an added measure of safety during pathway construction and to accommodate trucks and other equipment accessing the highway from numerous locations and working adjacent to this eight-mile stretch of road. The speed limit reduction is likely to be in place for five to six months until construction is complete.  NOTE: Sleeping Indian turnout will be closed all summer while it functions as a construction equipment and materials staging area.

In addition to the reduce speed limit, work on phase two of the pathway system includes construction of an underpass at Moose Junction. Consequently, starting August 15th, motorists should expect 15-minute delays at this intersection between Highway 26/89/191 and the Teton Park Road.

On July 5th, work will resume on Pacific Creek Road, which leads to Two Ocean Lake, Teton Wilderness and the Pacific Creek subdivision area. A major stabilization and roadway widening project began last year and should be completed by mid-August, 2011. This project will require 30-minute delays. It may also require mid-day closures during the week (Monday-Friday). If closures are necessary, the public and residents of the Pacific Creek area will be given a seven-day advance notice.

From September 6th through early November, a project to repave and stabilize slopes is scheduled for the North Park Road between Jackson Lake Lodge and Flagg Ranch Resort. This project will involve delays of up to 30 minutes. NOTE: Total travel delays between Jackson Lake Junction and Flagg Ranch Resort should not exceed 30 minutes; however, motorists should plan extra travel time to reach their destination.

Beginning September 6th, a protective sealant and new striping will be applied to the pathway that runs from the bridge at Moose to South Jenny Lake. Pathway segments of one to two miles in length will be closed for sealant work. Closures will occur incrementally along the entire length of the eight-mile-long pathway and each closure will last for three days at a time. Bicyclists will need to detour onto the Teton Park Road to avoid these incremental closures.

On October 1st, work will begin at the Buffalo Fork bridge area on Highway 26/89/191, a quarter mile south of Moran Junction. This bridge and roadway project will require 30-minute travel delays through November while bank stabilization is completed near the confluence of the Snake River and Buffalo Fork.

Several other road construction projects are planned for upcoming summer months, and each will involve 15-minute delays in traffic. These projects include: routine striping projects on all park roads during the month of June and July; an asphalt overlay on the road to the Teton Science Schools’ Kelly Campus during mid July; a culvert repair project on Ditch Creek Road with access to the Bridger-Teton National Forest; and a resurface/gravel application on the Grassy Lake Road from June through October that will require 15-minutes delays in travel. 

Efforts will be made to minimize any inconvenience to drivers using park roads, however, traffic will be held up for short periods of time as road improvement work is underway. These road construction projects are necessary to improve safety, as well as provide routine maintenance, for the many vehicles that use park roads throughout the year.

Roadwork schedules may change or be delayed due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

American Indian Guest Artists 2011 Schedule

Indian artists demonstrate their traditional & contemporary art
throughout the summer at the Colter Bay Indian Art Museum.
Photo is a cradleboard from the David T. Vernon Collection. 

May 16, 2011
11-32

Each year, Grand Teton National Park sponsors a program for visiting American Indian artists at the Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum. For the past 36 years, artists from diverse tribes have demonstrated their traditional and contemporary art forms, providing visitors an opportunity to gain a greater appreciation for, and understanding of American Indian art and culture.

Artists participating in the program represent tribes from across the United States. Art forms include painting, weaving, pottery, beadwork, and musical instruments. Guest artists exhibit daily, Monday through Sunday, from approximately 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Colter Bay Indian Arts Museum. Artists also offer their finished items for purchase.


Dates and guest artists scheduled for the 2011 season are: 

May 10-29	Willie & Debbie LaMere	Shoshone	Beadwork & Flint Knapping
May 30-June 5	Jola LeBeau	Eastern Shoshone	Beadwork
June 6-12	Maynard White Owl	Nez Perce	Beadwork
June 13-19	Charlotte Tendoy	Shoshone	Beadwork
June 20-26	Guillermo Martinez	Tarascan-Apache	Handmade Flutes & Drums
June 27-July 3	DG House	Cherokee	Oil Painting
July 4-10	Ted Moran	S’Klallan	Northwest Coastal Carving
July 11-17	Cecilia Lovey Two Bulls	Ogalala Sioux	Beadwork, Painting
July 18-24	Dolly & Bonnie Woodie	Navajo	Weaving,Clothing, Beadwork
July 25-31	Willie & Debbie LaMere	Shoshone	Beadwork, Flint Knapping
August 1-7	Paul Hacker	Choctaw	Flutes, Knives, Pottery
August 8-14	Andrea Two Bulls	Ogalala Sioux	Beadwork, Painting
August 15-21	Jola LeBeau	Eastern Shoshone	Beadwork
August 22-28	Gale Self	Choctaw	Silver Jewelry
Aug. 29-Sept 4	Josie & Juan Bronco	Paiute	Beadwork
Sept 5-11	Clyde Hall & Nancy Nacki	Shoshone	Beadwork, Quillwork
Sept 12-18	Andrea Two Bulls	Ogalala Sioux	Beadwork, Painting
Sept 19-25	DG House	Cherokee	Oil Painting
Sept. 26-Oct 3	Willie & Debbie LaMere	Shoshone	Beadwork, Flint Knapping

Bicyclist Injured in Collision w/ Delivery Truck

May 11, 2011
11-31

A 54-year-old Jackson, Wyoming resident received multiple injuries when he was struck by the rearview mirror of a delivery truck while biking on Highway 26/89/191, about 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday,
May 11. The delivery truck, driven by a 54-year-old Jackson man, and the bicyclist were both northbound on the highway when the accident occurred approximately one mile north of the Airport Junction in Grand Teton National Park. The cyclist was wearing a bike helmet.

After making contact with the bicyclist, the driver of the truck quickly stopped and made a 911 call on his cell phone to summon help. Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received the rerouted 911 call from the Teton County Sheriff’s Office at 9:19 a.m. and a park ranger immediately responded to the accident site.

The ranger provided emergency medical care to the bicyclist and sent him by park ambulance to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson.

Further details about this incident will be available at the conclusion of an accident investigation.

About 3.8 million people travel by vehicle on Grand Teton National Park roads each year. While accidents between vehicles and bicycles or pedestrians are rare, park managers completed a transportation plan in 2007 that included, among other goals, a system of multi-use pathways within the park to separate pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicle traffic.

Construction of a separated pathway running parallel to Highway 26/89/191 is scheduled to begin on June 1, and a 6.3 mile pathway segment from Moose Junction to the Gros Ventre River will join a pathway system being built from the Town of Jackson toward the park. Once constructed, the entire pathway (approximately 12 miles) will provide a measure of safety, separating non-motorized users from motorists on Highway 26/89/191.

Fleet of Hybrid Vehicles Arrives in Grand Teton

May 10, 2011
11-30 

Grand Teton National Park recently accepted delivery of five, 2011 Ford Escape hybrid vehicles through a program sponsored by Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition (YTCEC). Purchase of the hybrid vehicles—worth $146,175 dollars—was made possible through a $547,645 grant secured by YTCEC in partnership with Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. The program and grant were developed to support a variety of clean transportation projects in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA).

The five hybrids provided to Grand Teton National Park replace older, less efficient vehicles used by the park’s Wildlife Brigade: a corps of paid and volunteer staff whose primary duties are to respond to wildlife jams and enforce food storage at campgrounds, picnic sites and other developed areas. The vehicles will see thousands of hours of operation in their first season and reduce fuel use by an estimated 30% over conventional vehicles.

YTCEC Executive Director Phil Cameron stated, “An exciting aspect of the grant is the ability to support Grand Teton’s existing green initiatives, address their fleet needs, and provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase cleaner, more efficient vehicles to park visitors. These vehicles will have high visibility and we hope that visitors walk away realizing that hybrids represent a viable, effective means to reduce fuel consumption.”

“We appreciate the assistance provided by Phil Cameron and the Clean Energy Coalition in securing a grant to purchase hybrid vehicles for use in Grand Teton National Park,” said Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott. “The new Ford Escapes will go a long way toward reaching our goal of reducing energy consumption 20% by 2012. This initiative and its partnership program are instrumental in achieving conservation goals that protect not only park values but also America’s energy resources.”

As regional designee of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities Program, YTCEC worked with both Grand Teton and Yellowstone to identify and sponsor appropriate projects under a new Clean Cities/National Parks Initiative designed to reduce petroleum use and improve air quality, as well as educate the general public about alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. 

Under the same grant, Yellowstone National Park will purchase two hybrid transit buses that will perform a variety of functions, from employee shuttles to visitor transportation opportunities. Additionally, the park will purchase and deploy an electric utility vehicle, with solar charging station, to be deployed at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. Total allocation for Yellowstone is $280,000.

The remaining funds ($121,470) will be used throughout the GYA to advance clean vehicle technologies. This will include the purchase of two additional hybrid vehicles and idle reduction technologies, and launch an educational program about unnecessary idling. YTCEC will also provide ongoing support as these various projects are implemented throughout the various GYA federal and state agencies.

One of 87 Clean Cities Coalitions across the country, YTCEC’s mission is to displace the use of petroleum in the transportation sector, reduced harmful emissions and improve air quality, increase energy security through promotion of alternative fuels and vehicles, integrate transportation systems, and provide conservation strategies and technologies that benefit the public and the environment. YTCEC works with a diverse array of stakeholders throughout the GYA as the DOE’s on-the-ground advocate for petroleum displacement activities.

For more information about this project, please contact Phil Cameron at phil@ytcleanenergy.org, 307.413.1971, or visit www.ytcleanenergy.org. 

"Go Wild, Go Birding!" on Migratory Bird Day

The 2011 International Migratory Bird Day poster.

May 6, 2011

11-29 

Grand Teton National Park will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) with a bird-watching caravan on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Park ranger naturalist Andrew Langford will visit areas throughout the park that provide excellent opportunities to locate, identify, and record birds as part of the North American Migration Count. The free activity begins at 8 a.m. in the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose and finishes by 4 p.m. at Christian Pond near Jackson Lake Lodge. Reservations are not required.

Anyone interested in birds is welcome to participate in the annual bird count and bird-watching excursion hosted by Grand Teton. Throughout the day, participants will take short walks at various locations, so those attending should wear comfortable shoes and bring a lunch, drinking water, warm clothing and rain gear. Bird field guides, binoculars and spotting scopes are also recommended items.

“Go Wild, Go Birding!” serves as the theme for the 2011 IMBD observance. This declaration highlights an attempt to engage new audiences—young people and adults alike—in learning about bird-watching and bird conservation. Participants in Saturday’s bird-watching caravan will learn about the latest programs and activities designed to create new enthusiasts and introduce them to birding as a worthwhile and pleasant pastime. Participants will also gain basic skills and techniques for identifying birds by their size, plumage and calls.

Observed each year in May to celebrate and support bird conservation, IMBD serves as the hallmark outreach event for Partners in Flight—an international conservation program whose goal is to reverse declining populations of migratory birds by bringing attention to factors that may contribute to worldwide declines. This year marks the 21st anniversary for Partners in Flight.

For more information about International Migratory Bird Day and the North American Migration Count, please call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399. Participants of the IMBD activity are reminded that park entrance stations are open; therefore, they will need to present a park pass to travel through these entrance gates.

Teton Interagency Fire Managers Plan Spring Prescribed Fires

Teton Interagency firefighter uses
a drip torch to start a prescribed fire.

May 3, 2011

11-28

Teton interagency fire managers plan to conduct several prescribed fires during the month of May. If weather conditions are conducive, fire managers for Grand Teton National Park and the North Zone of the Bridger-Teton National Forest will initiate the following projects:

• Lava Creek—this prescribed fire, primarily on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, contains 226-acres (including 20 acres in Grand Teton National Park) within the Buffalo Valley Fuels Management Project area. The location includes pockets of dead and down wood, continuous sagebrush, and some conifers within aspen stands. The project is designed to maintain or increase aspen coverage and reduce the potential for high-intensity fires.
• Shadow Mountain—this 46-acre prescribed fire is designed to reduce fuel in wildland areas adjacent to the Shadow Mountain residential development. In conjunction with a recently completed fuels reduction project, this burn will break up the continuity of sagebrush and increase the ability to control a wildfire before it reaches private structures. The prescribed burn will also reduce the risk to firefighters by reducing the potential for a high intensity fire. 
• Elbo West—this 48-acre project was developed in conjunction with a multi-stage restoration plan to convert 4,000 acres of pastureland back into native vegetation. The site is south of Teton Science School Road and north of Kelly. The project is also part of a joint Grand Teton National Park/National Elk Refuge management plan for bison and elk.
• Upper Palmer Creek—the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to implement this prescribed fire in early May, contingent upon weather and fuel conditions. Managers plan to include approximately 400 acres during this treatment, in an effort to rejuvenate aspen groves, reduce sagebrush fuels and increase defensible space around the community of Hoback Junction. This is the first step in implementing the larger Hoback Junction Fuels Reduction Project. Visitors to the area can expect temporary, short-term closures of the Palmer Creek Trail during burn implementation.
• Lower Gros Ventre—if suitable weather and fuel conditions exist after May 16, interagency crews will continue the Lower Gros Ventre Prescribed Fire, a project that began last summer. The target area is located north of Lower Slide Lake and Gros Ventre Road, south of the Ditch Creek drainage, and east of Grand Teton National Park. Fire managers will burn the remainder of a 17,000-acre area. Crews will use fire to create a mosaic pattern of burned and unburned vegetation which should increase the availability of wildlife forage and improve the diversity of vegetation on an important wildlife winter range. Crews will also use fire in select portions of aspen stands to remove conifers and rejuvenate aspen growth. No closures for the area are planned after May 16; however it may be necessary to apply a temporary closure for public safety at a later date.

Fire managers will proceed with prescribed fire ignitions when favorable weather and fire behavior conditions exist. Smoke will be visible the day of the burn, and may persist for several days, especially in mountain valleys during early the morning and evenings. Please use caution in the area of the fires and be aware that minimal restrictions may be implemented to allow for public and firefighter safety and fire equipment access.

For more detailed information, please go to www.tetonfires.com.

Public Comments Sought for Moose Area Wastewater & Water Systems Project

May 2, 2011

11-27

Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott announced today that an environmental assessment/assessment of effect document is being prepared to analyze a range of project alternatives for replacement of a wastewater system near park headquarters in Moose, Wyoming. The project will also address critical deficiencies in the water system serving the Moose area. The National Park Service requests that public comments on the Moose Wastewater and Water System EA/AE projects be submitted no later than June 2, 2011.

The current wastewater treatment plant at Moose was built more than 50 years ago; it is both challenging and expensive to operate because of its outdated design and antiquated technology. The plant is nearing its daily capacity, and treatment demands are expected to increase in the future. In addition, the wastewater treatment plant is located less than 200 feet from the banks of the Snake River. Any malfunctions could potentially affect the Snake River, which was designated as a wild and scenic river in 2009.

Identified options include replacement of the existing wastewater treatment plant with a larger, modern facility located further away from the Snake River, or construction of a 12-mile-long buried pipeline that would transport wastewater to the Town of Jackson’s secondary treatment facility.

The 50-year-old water system at Moose is too small to reliably meet current needs. In addition, the underground pipes leak, and often lose more water than they deliver. Multiple options are being considered to upgrade the water system’s wells, pipes, pumps, and storage tanks.

Issues to be addressed in the Moose Wastewater and Water System EA/AE will include public health and safety, water quality, park operations and efficiencies, floodplain capacity, wildlife and cultural resources, and visitor experience.

Public comments can be made online on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/. Additional information on these projects is also available on the PEPC site. Comments may also be sent to the following address: Moose Wastewater and Water System EA/AE, Grand Teton National Park, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, Wyoming 83012.