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County staff to draft symposium agenda after Teton Pass corridor partners offer to convene
Summary
County transportation staff and a local nonprofit discussed next steps for the Teton Pass corridor. The Teton Backcountry Alliance offered to convene stakeholders and the board asked staff to prepare a proposal or meeting agenda for a symposium or advisory meeting without creating an additional standing committee for now.
County transportation staff and stakeholders discussed next steps for the Teton Pass corridor needs study at the July 28 voucher meeting. County Transportation Manager Charlotte Frey told commissioners the Regional Transportation Task Force and federal partners have compiled a regional needs assessment that carries forward Teton Pass recommendations from a 2024 FLAP (Federal Lands Access Program) study.
Frey said the next practical step identified by Federal Lands Highway staff is to evaluate funding and innovative financing options to implement priority improvements — such as Phillips Bench improvements, wildlife crossings and summit area work — rather than creating a new standing committee. She also said a planned in‑person meeting with federal partners was paused when those employees were placed on a travel freeze earlier in 2025.
Gary Kofinas (recorded in the transcript as Gary Kopinas), representing the Teton Backcountry Alliance, offered to convene a working group or periodic meetings of local agencies, nonprofits and other stakeholders. Kofinas said his group would limit staff burden by leading outreach, developing terms of reference and potentially drafting a vision statement for the corridor.
Commissioners endorsed continuing the coordination without immediately creating a county‑run new committee. Chairman Newcomb and several commissioners said a symposium or one‑time convening could be a useful early deliverable; staff agreed to draft a proposed meeting agenda and return to the board with options for a symposium that could include nonprofit partners such as the Backcountry Alliance and federal and state agencies.
The board emphasized care not to add unbudgeted work for the county’s small strategic initiatives and engagement staff and asked staff to coordinate timing with partners and the availability of federal personnel where appropriate.
