JACKSON, Wyo. — Applications are now open for the newly created Water Quality Advisory Board (WQAB) through the Teton County website.
Teton County is seeking applicants who have a strong interest, knowledge and significant experience in water quality, hydrology, land-use planning, engineering, public health, infrastructure planning or water regulation to fill five to seven seats on the volunteer board. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. At the Sept. 3 Teton County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Public Works Director Heather Overholser said she hopes the Commissioners will be able to interview and appoint Advisory Board members by October or November.
“Protecting and managing water resources is one of our most important and complex jobs,” Overholser said. “The new Water Quality Advisory Board will be critical in helping our community manage this precious and critical resource and providing a public venue where the complicated issues surrounding infrastructure, funding and resource protection can be considered and evaluated.”
The board was recently created to work with County staff on water quality projects, policies and initiatives and to advise the Board of County Commissioners, similar to how other volunteer boards make recommendations. The WQAB will focus on big picture and long-term goals, prioritizing human and natural resource health and giving priority to recommendations outlined in the Water Quality Management Plan.
According to Christopher Peltz, Teton County Water Resources Coordinator, the board will be instrumental in implementing the Water Quality Management Plan by assisting staff with developing a vision for protecting water resources, recommending projects for a cost-share program and creating a process where projects can receive funding through the water quality SPET. In 2022, voters approved a water quality SPET initiative totaling $10 million.
The Teton County Board of County Commissioners will interview and appoint the five to seven board members, and will strive to include a Town of Jackson resident, current board member of a water and/or sewer district/improvement and service district and a representative from a non-profit. Terms are three years and board members are limited to serving no more than two consecutive terms.
Currently there are a number of water quality projects, policies and initiatives in the pipeline including the Hoback water system, which the county recently pledged $3 million in SPET funding to with the caveat that collections are ongoing so there will not be a lump sum available and that the County’s pledge will be used last, if at all; and the recent formation of the Elk Refuge sewer district, and water quality projects such as the Fish Creek Watershed Management Plan.
More information and application details can be found here.
