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1) Help
keep Jackson Hole wild and beautiful -- support
us through Old Bill’s Fun Run! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1) Help keep Jackson Hole wild and beautiful -- support us through Old Bill’s Fun Run! Fall is one of the rare times we make a financial appeal to readers of Alliance Action, which we hope you value as one of the best ways you can stay informed about conservation and land use issues facing this treasured valley. Some of our AA readers are members, but many of you are not. If you haven't yet joined the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, please consider supporting our work to protect the valley by making a donation through Old Bill's Fun Run for Charities, a unique community event that takes place the second Saturday of each September. In these difficult economic times, your help matters. Whether it's $10, $100 or $1,000, every dollar counts toward continuing our work to keep this special place wild and beautiful for generations to come. And by giving now, a percentage of your contribution will be matched through Old Bill's. Please visit www.cfjacksonhole.org/ob-donor.php to
donate now through Old Bill's. (You can, of course, at any time become a member or contribute directly toward the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance's work by clicking here.) Thanks for your loyal readership, for caring about Jackson Hole and thanks in advance for your support!• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 2) Court reinstates federal protections for Northern Rockies gray wolves On August 5, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy put the Northern Rockies gray wolf population back on the endangered species list with his decision that the Endangered Species Act does not allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove federal protection of wolves in Idaho and Montana, while keeping protections for wolves in Wyoming. Molloy ruled in a case that a coalition of conservation groups (including the Alliance) filed in June 2009 against the Fish and Wildlife Service for its April 2009 decision delisting wolves in Montana and Idaho. Essentially, Molloy ruled that wolves in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana either all have to be under federal protection, or all under state management plans that ensure the viability of the species. This welcome ruling validates the coalition’s stance that wolves must be managed as one population across the Northern Rockies. It may also result in Montana and Idaho putting pressure on Wyoming to reject its current wolf management plan -- which basically classifies wolves as predators that can be killed on sight throughout most of the state -- in favor of trophy game status for wolves statewide, in which case people who wanted to kill wolves would have to apply for a hunting license to do so. (Wyoming’s plan is the reason Fish and Wildlife kept federal protections for wolves in the state.) Throughout the inevitable challenges that will likely follow this ruling, the Alliance will continue to work toward our goal of having the Wyoming Legislature eliminate the wolf predator zone and designate the entire state (excluding national parks) a trophy game zone. We’ll also keep encouraging the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to use the best available science in managing wolves so as to assure their long-term viability, including consistent interconnections between the wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. More information on this issue is available by clicking here.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 3) Fate of 1,366 acres of state-owned land in Teton Park still uncertain Earlier this summer, Gov. Dave Freudenthal stated that unless the federal government came up with a deal to buy the land, Wyoming might auction off two state-owned square-mile parcels within Grand Teton National Park to private developers. Known as state school trust lands, the parcels are supposed to generate funds for Wyoming’s public schools. They’re also supposed to be “managed for maximum profit.” However, for this land that’s estimated to be worth more than $100 million, the state is only getting about $3,000 a year in grazing leases. Wyoming has tried to negotiate a fair trade for the parcels with the federal government for the past 10 years, and Freudenthal’s gambit to apply some pressure seems to be working. On August 25, he announced that he had met with federal officials and “we put together a transaction” that was “certainly positive enough that I don’t feel obligated to go put up a for sale sign.” Although details are still sketchy, it’s likely that the Wyoming Legislature and U.S. Congress would have to sign off on at least part of such a deal, so we encourage you add to the arm-twisting for a successful trade. Please let state and federal legislators know that offering public lands for private development -- especially in Grand Teton National Park -- is an option that’s simply unacceptable. Their contact information is available by clicking here.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 4) Bridger-Teton seeks input on Snake Headwaters Wild and Scenic River Plan In March 2009, passage of the Craig Thomas Snake River Headwaters Legacy Act brought some 400 miles of the Snake and its tributaries under the protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Now, Bridger-Teton National Forest officials are working on a plan to manage the waterways covered by this legislation, and they’d like your help. Details on how you can participate are available at www.snakeheadwatersact.com and www.fs.fed.us/r4/btnf/wild_scenic. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 5) Stay tuned for info on environmental studies expected in September Several long-awaited National Environmental Policy Act studies are expected to be released this month, and we urge you to keep checking back here for updates on how you can comment on them. These include studies on: the Jackson South Highway reconstruction project; the proposed Bridger-Teton land sale and headquarters relocation; the Jackson Hole Airport lease extension; the Hoback Wells proposal by Plains Energy to develop a 136-well natural gas field near Bondurant; and the final analysis regarding contested energy development leases on nearly 45,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat in the Wyoming Range. We’ll post details here on each study as soon as they are released. For background information, please contact Lousie Lasley, Alliance public lands director, at (307) 733-9417 or Louise@jhalliance.org. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 6) Community planning updates Here’s a partial roundup of community planning items on deck this month, but please keep 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 Becky Tillson at Rebecca@jhalliance.org or (307) 733-9417 for confirmation. Also, this list isn’t exhaustive, since many meeting agendas aren’t finalized until shortly before the meeting takes place. Check www.jhalliance.org/allianceaction.htm, www.ci.jackson.wy.us and www.tetonwyo.org for updates. If you’d like to comment on any of these items, contact information for all local public officials is available at www.jhalliance.org/takeactioncontacts.htm. SNAKE RIVER ACCESS: Teton Board of County Commissioners workshop, to be held either after the commissioners’ 9 a.m. regular meeting on September 7 if there’s time, or at 3 p.m. on September 17, County commissioners’ chambers, 200 S. Willow. In the August 17 primary election, Teton County voters okayed 10 of 11 projects seeking funding from the 1 percent specific purpose excise tax. Among these was $1 million for Proposition #8: “Wilson Bridge Recreation Area and South Park/Wilson Bridge River Access.” This workshop is expected to begin addressing some of the details involved in realizing the goals of this proposition. MONTHLY TOWN/COUNTY JOINT INFORMATION MEETING: Jackson Town Council and Teton Board of County Commissioners, September 13, 2 p.m., County commissioners’ chambers, 200 S. Willow. Due to Labor Day, the September JIM is postponed from September 6 to the 13th. Although the full agenda isn’t available yet, the electeds are expected to discuss the possibility of using a facilitator for the ongoing Comp Plan revision process; the future of the Natural Resources Technical Advisory Board, which they took applications for during the last three weeks of August; and the proposed swap of a parcel in Karns Meadow for one east of Teton County Library. (The Teton County Housing Authority is considering trading its 5.75 acre Karns property for the 3.9 acre Grove property recently acquired by the Town of Jackson. If the swap works out, the town plans to put a START and public works facility on the Karns parcel, while the housing authority plans to build about 70 affordable housing units where the trailer park used to be next to the library.) JACKSON HOLE GOLF & TENNIS RESORT MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT: Teton County Planning Commission, September 13, 6 p.m., County commissioners’ chambers, 200 S. Willow. The planning commissioners are scheduled to discuss an application to change Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Resort’s master plan so that dogs would be allowed in the resort’s affordable housing development. While the Alliance is supportive of both dogs and affordable housing in the Jackson Hole community, we also support keeping the master plan as it is. Prohibiting dogs in this affordable housing development was a condition of its approval, meant to help mitigate the development’s high-density impacts in a sensitive area for wildlife. Backing out on this commitment now would set a bad precedent and lead to the erosion of protections for wildlife. Click here for our full comments. JACKSON PLANNING COMMISSIONER SOUGHT: The Town of Jackson is accepting applications for a vacant seat on the town’s planning commission until September 14. Anyone interested in applying should mail an application letter to Town Clerk Roxanne Robinson at P.O. Box 1687, Jackson, WY 83001, or email it to rrobinson@ci.jackson.wy.us. Questions? Call Robinson at (307) 733-3932, ext. 1107. JACKSON TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP: September 20, 3 p.m., Town Hall, 150 E. Pearl. The councilors are expected to review the 2009 energy code and see if they’re interested in adopting it to gain energy efficiencies and savings. They may also discuss the Comp Plan revision process moving forward.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 7) Conservation Alliance news KNIFFY HAMILTON JOINS ALLIANCE BOARD: The Alliance welcomed newly retired Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton onto its board of directors in August. Also recently named to the board were retired health care administrator Shirley Thomas and Taylor Phillips, owner of EcoTour Adventures. For details, please click here for our press release. FALL ALLIANCE NEWS AVAILABLE SOON: Our Fall magazine will posted online the week of September 13. Along with updates on our many issues and events, the magazine includes a revised and condensed version of our Citizen Activist Tool Kit, as well as a Comp Plan Q&A with the candidates for the Jackson Town Council and Teton Board of County Commissioners. Please keep an eye out for it at www.jhalliance.org/library.htm. ALLIANCE TROUT RUG RAFFLE KICKS OFF: What do 15 Jackson Hole women, high-quality wool and trout have in common? The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance Trout Rug Raffle! Only 300 chances for this one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality, beautiful, hand-stitched rug will be sold. The drawing will be in September 2011 or when all 300 tickets have been sold, whichever comes first. Tickets are $100 each, and you can purchase yours by sending a check to P.O. Box 2728, Jackson, WY 83001, stopping by the Alliance office at 685 S. Cache St., calling Lisa Rullman at (307) 733-9417 or buying them online via www.jhalliance.org/join.htm. All proceeds support the Alliance’s work to sustain our unique community by standing up for the valley’s wildlife and quality of life. COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY: If you work for the federal government (or know someone who does), please consider the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance for your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donation. The Alliance is an approved charity in the 2010 Intermountain Campaign, which last year raised more than $2.6 million for charities in Utah, western Colorado, eastern Idaho and Wyoming. Open to federal employees throughout the nation, the CFC is the largest, most successful workplace fundraising model in the world. Your CFC donation to the Alliance will directly support work to protect and enhance the public lands, wildlife and natural resources of Jackson Hole, including our efforts to keep the Bridger-Teton National Forest headquarters in the valley. For more information about the campaign, visit www.opm.gov/cfc.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 8) Coming Events Wednesday, September 8 Friday, September 10 Saturday, September 11 Wednesday, September 15 Saturday, September 18 Friday, October 15 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • (Back to top) 9) Valley Voices “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” - Doug Larson
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 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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