OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT

The goal of this Community Assessment is to encourage inclusive public engagement throughout the NEPA process on the Grand Targhee expansion through proactive education and resource development. Learning more about this issue is the foundation for meaningful engagement. The website published by the consultants conducting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), SE Group, as well as the resources listed on https://jhalliance.org/wild-places/targhee/ are excellent ways to learn more about the details of the expansion and its potential impacts.

The draft Environmental Assessment (DEIS) is now available and the public has until June 20, 2025 to provide feedback to the Forest Service on this document.. This is the most important time for you to get involved and to  influence the outcome of the Environmental Impact Statement and Final Record of Decision. You can review and comment on the DEIS on the Forest Service website, here. The writers of this Community Assessment generally support Alternative 3, which would not authorize Grand Targhee to expand beyond it’s current boundaries.

Public Meetings

The Forest Service is hosting a public information Open House on April 17, 2025 at the Driggs Community Center (60 S. Main St. Driggs, ID) from 5-8pm.

Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Teton Backcountry Alliance, Winter Wildlands Alliance, and Valley Advocates for Responsible Development are hosting two community meetings in May, to share information about the DEIS and help the public with their comments. Meetings will be:

  • May 12, 2025 at the Teton County Library (125 Virginian Ln, Jackson, WY), 6-7 pm

  • May 15, 2025 at the Driggs Community Center/Seniors West of the Tetons (60 S. Main St. Driggs, ID), 6-7 pm. This will be a hybrid meeting. Click here to register in advance to attend via Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Commenting and Next Steps

Click Here to comment on the DEIS using the Forest Service comment form.

After this comment period, your input will be considered and duly incorporated into the Forest Service’s final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS will include a draft Record of Decision (ROD). Those who have previously commented on the project will have the opportunity to object to the draft ROD once it is published. After the objection period the Forest Service may make some changes in response to objections, and then the agency will publish a final ROD. The final ROD will be the ultimate decision of what development is permitted.  If the final decision is still unfavorable and incompatible with public land designation and usage, next steps may include legal action against the Forest Service.  

While the NEPA process applies to proposed expansion activities on public land, a separate process applies to base area expansion activities occurring on the private land in Teton County, WY. All development activities on private land in the County are required to be approved by Planning and Zoning and the Board of County Commissioners. The base area expansion plan, called the Planned Unit Development (PUD), has already been approved by Teton County, Wyoming but review of base area expansion related to the proposed Grand Targhee development will occur in phases, and in some cases will require additional approval from the County Commissioners. Each time there is a trigger within the PUD, there will be an opportunity for community review and public comment. The best way to stay in the loop for upcoming opportunities for engagement is to sign up at www.grandtargheeca.org. Or contact one or more of the following organizations: