Grand Targhee Resort has proposed a major and problematic expansion, and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest is evaluating the proposal through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The expansion would impact the local wildlife, public lands, economy, housing, and community of both Teton County WY and Teton Valley ID. Grand Targhee’s proposal includes an expansion of nearly 900 acres, pushing the resort boundaries up against the Jedediah Smith Wilderness area and more than doubling skier capacity (from 3,000 to 7,000 skiers/day – as much as Jackson Hole Mountain Resort). The expansion would further compound issues of habitat loss, housing, sewer and water infrastructure, and natural resources that our communities already face, but it is not inevitable.
The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) evaluating the proposal has been pushed back to the spring of 2022. The Forest Service recently released a number of changes to the proposed expansion following the public scoping period in response to concerns within the Forest Service and from the public. After the DEIS is released, the public will have a 90-day period to provide comment before the draft is finalized. Check out the FAQ released at the same time as the updates, which answers questions about the changes and states which alternatives will be analyzed in the DEIS. As we await the DEIS, it is important to learn more about the proposal, the impacts it may have, and ways to engage and be involved with the NEPA process.
The Teton County, Idaho Board of County Commissioners is hosting a virtual Town Hall Meeting on December 15th from 6:00 to 8:00pm to provide information about the proposed expansion at Grand Targhee Resort.
Representatives from Grand Targhee Resort, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and Teton County, Idaho will be presenting and participating in a facilitated question and answer session. We strongly encourage you to attend the Town Hall to learn more about the proposed expansion and its potential impacts.
The Alliance hopes to facilitate a grassroots coalition campaign to encourage public engagement throughout the NEPA process on the Targhee expansion. By learning more about this issue and joining the conversation at the Town Hall Meeting, you can contribute to community driven change in our neighborhoods, wildland, and the places we call home. Sign up below to receive the Alliance’s Targhee updates.
