The goal of this Impact Assessment is to encourage inclusive public engagement throughout the NEPA process on the 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 the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance’s website, here, are excellent ways to learn more about the details of the expansion, its potential impacts, and ways to get involved. 

The non-profit partner group that published this Assessment (Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Teton Backcountry Alliance, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, and Winter Wildlands Alliance) will host a series of workshops in anticipation of the 90-day public comment period following the publication of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), likely to be released in summer 2022. Contributors to this Community Assessment will help lead these workshops and provide further insight into potential impacts, as well as review best methods for writing an effective public comment, and answer questions from community members. 

The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Forest Service for 90 days following the publication of the DEIS. This is the most important time for the public to get involved and to  influence the outcome of the Environmental Impact Statement and Final Record of Decision. After this comment period, input will be considered and duly incorporated into a final EIS (FEIS). The FEIS may take between 6 months and more than 2 years to be released. The FEIS will include the Forest Service’s draft Record of Decision (ROD). Following publication of the draft ROD, those who have previously commented on the project will have the opportunity to object to the final decision. 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 Targhee development will occur in phases, and in some cases will require additional approval from the Commissioners. Each time there is a trigger within the PUD, there will be an opportunity for community review and public comment.