JACKSON, Wyo. — Bridger-Teton National Forest District Ranger Todd Stiles has issued a permit to Snake River Sporting Club (SRSC) Improvement and Service District for the usage of Johnny Counts Access Route in response to the Astoria Bridge closure.
Stiles issued the permit this afternoon, Dec. 15, and in an email, outlined the five foundational basics of the permit.
At this time, only SRSC employees, property owners and contractors working on ongoing projects will have access to the road from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
“SRSC company vehicles are allowed so if they want to shuttle guests in that mode, that would be allowed per this permit,” Stiles said.
SRSC will be required to staff the gate on the Hoback side to ensure that only authorized vehicles are permitted during the approved timeframe. SRSC will also be required to submit a list of landowners and contractors including their addresses and provide a motor vehicle access permit to those authorized users to keep in their cars.
“This allows SRSC staff to know that who is coming and going is authorized and it allows for the Forest Service to perform spot checks as necessary to see that this is functioning per the permit terms and conditions,” Stiles said.
Only full-size vehicles will be permitted along with sanding trucks, garbage trucks and essential deliveries such as propane with a maximum weight limit of 35,000 lbs.
According to Stiles, SRSC is in conversation with an engineering firm to determine whether walking across the bridge can be authorized and/or another fix to maybe even get lightweight vehicles across.
Stiles noted that if this is the case, he can authorize plowing of the Astoria Boat Ramp for parking. This would allow SRSC guests access as well as Astoria Park Conservancy guests. The potential for walking access across the bridge would also help reduce traffic on the access route.
Astoria Park Conservancy has been closed since the accident on Dec. 8.
Stiles explained that public safety is of top priority when issuing the permit and that he “understands the predicament SRSC and the hot springs are in from an economic effects standpoint.”
“Neither the County Road and certainly not the Johnny Counts Access [route] are designed for high volumes of winter traffic,” Stiles said. “The more people we put on that road the higher the exposure of a bad outcome there is. There is also no avalanche control on the slopes above Johnny Counts Road.”
Stiles also pointed out that an incident on the road could impede Fire/EMS response access to residents, something Teton County Emergency Management has also stressed upon the emergency opening of the access road.
Stiles said, “It is a balance where access is weighed against risk and exposure of more people using that road, and how additional use also affects the safety and quality of life for Hoback Junction residents.”
According to Stiles, avalanche risk above Johnny Counts is currently being assessed by Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center Director Frank Carus. “Frank will provide me some counsel on potential options for how to assess risk associated with avalanche exposure. I will share that information as I get it,” Stiles said.
The permit expires Jan. 31, 2023.
“We can reissue easily assuming all is going well, and or amend the terms and conditions if that is necessary,” Stiles said.
