The Jackson Hole Clean Water Coalition is hosting a forum Thursday to allow prospective town and county elected officials to share their perspectives on the region’s water quality challenges.
The live virtual forum will take place from noon to 2 p.m. The first hour is devoted to Jackson Town Council and mayoral candidates. The second will focus on Teton County Board of County Commissioners candidates.
The forum will be presented by Teton County Library and moderated by Max Ludington.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has identified harmful cyanobacteria blooms in three Togwotee Pass-area lakes.
State investigators found a bloom of blue-green algae in Brooks Lake early this summer, and on Sept. 25 they issued advisories for two more lakes in the area: Upper Jade Lake and Pelham Lake.
Harmful cyanobacteria is especially worrisome for pets and livestock, since those animals often ingest large volumes of lake water.
Forest e-bike comments sought
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to clarify its rules governing electric bikes on national forest lands like those managed by the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Currently, e-bikes are not allowed on national forest roads, trails and lands that are not already designated for motor vehicle use.
To make it easier for individual forests to allow e-bike use on roads, trails and lands, the Forest Service has proposed new definitions for an e-bike, breaking them into class 1, 2 and 3 vehicles.
The proposed changes to Forest Service regulations also include guidance and criteria for designating e-bike use.
Draft Madison rule released
Montana’s draft Madison River recreation rules have been released and are now available for public review.
The documents can be found online at FWP.mt.gov. Comments are being taken through Oct. 30.
A public hearing for the draft rule will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 via Zoom. The public will be able to watch the public meeting streamed on Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ YouTube channel and will have a dedicated phone line to call in and provide public comment.
The environmental assessment outlining proposed changes to the recreation rules looks at three alternatives. The analysis looks at each alternative for effects on the recreation, natural and physical resources, heritage and economics of the Madison River.
—Compiled by Mike Koshmrl