JACKSON, Wyo. — Last week, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it had evaluated effects and alternatives associated with construction of a replacement visitor center on the National Elk Refuge (Refuge) that is slated to break ground in 2025.
The Final Environmental Assessment (EA) found that a new visitor center and its alternative would not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the quality of the surrounding physical or human environment.
This EA evaluated two action alternatives and a no-action alternative. The proposed action would replace the existing visitor center at the National Elk Refuge with a new visitor center that accommodates the increasing visitor use to the area. The proposed action also includes restoring and enhancing the site associated with the visitor center, currently referred to as Murie Family Park. The no-action alternative would not construct any new facilities, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would continue to use the existing center. The existing building is more than 40 years old and has several maintenance deficiencies. In addition, the building does not meet requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard.
The new center, funded in part by the Great American Outdoors Act, would serve as the front door of the Refuge. The completely redesigned facility will include indoor and outdoor components, enabling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reach a more diverse audience both within the local community and among the millions of national and international visitors to the Jackson Hole area each year.
“Our goal is to create a welcoming space where audiences can be introduced to the Refuge, find opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation provided by the Service, understand our role in conserving wildlife habitat and learn about broader conservation goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said Visitor Services Manager Raena Parsons.
A copy of the EA can be found on the Refuge’s website here.
