JACKSON, Wyo. — The Teton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) granted permission on Tuesday for the Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation Department to add a new position and hire someone specifically for Snake River use and management.
Parks & Rec Director Tyler Florence presented to the BCC and answered questions about the proposal for a newly created employment position. Florence told the Board that river fees collected from local outfitters are projected to nearly fund the salary for a natural resources coordinator (NRC). The future employee to fill the position will serve as the program manager for the County’s Snake River Management Plan (SRMP) and will report to Parks & Rec Parks Superintendent Andy Erskine. The BCC unanimously approved the position’s creation.
“Administration of the Snake River Management Plan has grown in operational complexity and public visibility,” reads the staff report. “Feedback from the river outfitter community over several years consistently emphasizes the need for proactive permitting, reservation allocation, maintenance coordination and ramp monitoring. Establishing a dedicated program manager directly addresses these concerns and improves service reliability and transparency.”
The NRC would be responsible for administering and implementing the SRMP, hiring and supervising seasonal river staff, budget oversight, administration of the reservation system and permits, stakeholder coordination and enforcement of adopted policies. Parks & Rec is looking to hire someone for the position by May 1 to ensure adequate preparation before the summer boating season. Hiring a designated NRC will allow Parks & Rec to consolidate responsibilities that are currently shared among staff, with the goal of ensuring long-term stewardship. The NRC will also manage Town and County open lands properties, including currently owned and leased parcels, as well as future Bureau of Land Management acquisitions.
“I just would offer thank you to you and our administrator,” Commissioner Natalia Macker said to Florence. “I know we’ve tried to handle this in a number of different ways over the years. And in collaboration with the river-using community, this feels like a really workable, functional solution.”
