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Teton Pass to Reopen Friday
Wyoming State Highway 22, Teton Pass, is set to reopen this Friday with an interim detour around the Big Fill landslide at milepost 12.8. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) began work on the detour immediately after the collapse on June 8. Crews from Evans Construction and WYDOT personnel have been working tirelessly over the past three weeks to construct a paved, two-lane detour to reconnect the communities in the Teton Valley.
Yellowstone National Park Visitation Rises
Yellowstone National Park hosted 522,450 recreation visits in May 2024, marking a 15% increase from May 2023, which saw 454,262 recreation visits. This May’s visitation also showed a 10% rise from May 2021, which had 473,799 recreation visits. To date in 2024, the park has welcomed 719,127 recreation visits,...
Fire Danger Increases in Western Wyoming
Teton Interagency fire managers have elevated the fire danger rating to “moderate” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge. This increase is due to the summer curing of vegetation combined with warmer and windy conditions, raising the potential for fire activity. A...
Buffalo Field Campaign to Host Ceremony for Sacred White Buffalo Calf
On June 26th, the Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) will host a ceremony to honor the birth of a sacred white buffalo calf earlier this month. The event will take place on the sovereign land of the Shoshone-Bannock and will be led by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle. The ceremony is open to all people and major media outlets.
$6 Million in Emergency Relief Funds for Wyoming Landslide Repairs
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the immediate availability of $6 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds to the Wyoming Department of Transportation. These funds are intended to offset the costs of repairs in the Teton Range caused by a landslide earlier this month and to construct a safe, temporary detour near the Wyoming-Idaho border. This detour is crucial for restoring access to popular tourist destinations such as Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park.
Road Projects in Grand Teton National Park During Week of June 24
Grand Teton National Park will conduct two minor road projects during the week of June 24, causing short delays and a temporary road closure. These projects aim to improve vehicular and cyclist safety. The one-way Jenny Lake Scenic Drive will be temporarily closed to all traffic from June 24 to...
Yellowstone National Park Receives $22 Million for Transportation Improvements
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced a $22 million grant to the National Park Service to modernize and reconstruct a 0.7-mile segment of the Norris to Golden Gate roadway in Yellowstone National Park. This road is a critical link to Yellowstone’s major destinations, serving millions of annual visitors, local residents, and surrounding communities.
Search Underway for Missing Paddler in Grand Teton National Park
Authorities are actively searching for 43-year-old Wesley Dopkins, from St. Paul, Minnesota, who has been reported missing in Grand Teton National Park. Mr. Dopkins was last observed on June 15, 2024, paddling on Jackson Lake. He embarked from Elk Island in the direction of Waterfalls Canyon in the mid-afternoon. The...
Major Funding Announcement for Transportation Investments in Yellowstone National Park and Tribal Lands
On Tuesday, June 18, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt will visit Yellowstone National Park to announce significant federal transportation infrastructure grants. These grants aim to modernize roads and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists within National Parks and on Tribal lands. The funding is part of the Infrastructure Law and Investing in America Agenda, designed to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.
Moderate Fire Danger in Yellowstone National Park
The National Park Service has set the fire danger level in Yellowstone National Park to moderate. Currently, there is one active wildland fire in the park. The Milepost 17 Fire, caused by lightning, is controlled with little to no heat remaining. At this time, there are no fire restrictions in...
Washington Man Sentenced for Thermal Trespass and Closure Violation in Yellowstone National Park
Viktor Pyshniuk, a 21-year-old from Lynwood, Washington, has been sentenced to seven days in jail for trespassing at a thermal feature at Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park . Additionally, he received a two-year ban from YNP and was placed on two years of unsupervised release for a closure violation. Pyshniuk was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, a $30 mandatory court processing fee, and a $20 special assessment.
Teton County Launches Resource Webpage for Those Affected by Teton Pass Closure
In response to the closure of Teton Pass, Teton County has created a webpage to provide information and resources for those impacted by the road closure. This page aims to assist the public with navigating available resources related to housing, transportation, food, and financial needs. The webpage includes links and...
Governor Gordon Emphasizes Local Input for Old Growth Forest Plan Amendment
Governor Mark Gordon has expressed his concerns to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding the proposed National Old-growth Amendment, which would change forest guidance across all National Forest and Grassland Management Plans without adhering to the standard plan revision process. In his letter, Governor Gordon emphasized that the Forest Service...
Upcoming Traffic Shift on Wyoming State Highway 390
Jackson, Wyo. – The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and Ames Construction, Inc. will implement the next traffic shift on Wyoming State Highway 390 on Saturday, June 15, weather permitting. This shift is necessary for the continued paving of the intersection at Wyoming State Highway 22. What to Expect:
Juneteenth Freedom Day Closure at the Trash Transfer Station and Recycling Center
Jackson, WY, June 12, 2024 – The Teton County Trash Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be closed to the public on Wednesday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth Freedom Day. Regular hours will resume on Thursday, June 20th. Outdoor recycling bins at the Recycling Center and community recycling...
17th Annual Tin Cup Challenge Giving Opens Today
The Community Foundation of Teton Valley is excited to announce the launch of the 17th Annual Tin Cup Challenge, a six-week community-wide fundraiser. Starting on Friday, June 14, and running until Friday, July 26, at 5 pm, the Community Foundation will accept donations benefiting local nonprofits, with a partial match provided.
YouTuber Second-guesses WYDOT on Teton Pass Detour
Self-proclaimed Geotechnical Engineer Skeptical of Detour Plan. In a recent blog post, a YouTube blogger going by the handle Casey Jones with a supposed engineering background expresses skepticism over the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s expedited efforts to reopen a road after a significant failure. The blogger, who say he is a geotechnical engineer with 38 years of experience, critiques WYDOT’s announcement that they plan to establish a detour within weeks following a road collapse. Citing their own extensive experience in construction-related consulting, the blogger questions the rapid assessment and decision-making process employed by WYDOT.
Bear Conservation Efforts are Worldwide
Growing Brown Bear Population in the Pyrenees Marks Success in Conservation Efforts. Bear reintroduction efforts are not limited to North America. In fact, bears are an important part of ecosystems worldwide. The brown bear population in the Pyrenees mountains is witnessing a promising increase, as reported by French authorities and...
Emergency Detour Approved for Teton Pass Following Landslide
The Wyoming Transportation Commission has moved quickly to address the landslide disruption on Teton Pass, approving a $430,000 emergency bid from Evans Construction to build a temporary detour. This decision was made during a special Zoom meeting held by the Commission as they respond to the urgent need to restore access on Wyoming Highway 22.
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