ALTA, Wyo. — Community members have until Friday, June 20, to comment on Grand Targhee Resort’s (GTR) proposed boundary expansion, which the resort says could allow space for new lifts, terrain, infrastructure and more.
Operating under a Special Use Permit (SUP) managed by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the resort now seeks to expand outside the current permit boundaries onto the national forest.
With the completion of the Master Development Plan in 2018, the U.S. Forest Service is evaluating the proposal through a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to help determine alternative options and environmental impacts. Of the five alternatives outlined in the DEIS, GTR recommends Alternative 2, which would include a SUP expansion.
GTR previously stated that “proposed boundary adjustments will add the Mono Trees area near the Colter Lift and parts of South Bowl to GTR’s managed terrain network,” contending that the changes will improve skier experience.
Teton Backcountry Alliance (TBCA) announced its opposition to the boundary expansion last week. The TBCA recommends a modified version of Alternative 3, which does not authorize development in South Bowl and Mono Trees areas — regions outside of GTR’s current permitted use area. According to TBCA, this alternative would balance skier access and conservation.
“The proposed expansion threatens undeveloped national forest lands on the western slopes of the Teton Range, putting wildlife, whitebark pine and backcountry winter experiences at risk for corporate profit,” TBCA said in the announcement.
