The Teton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a consultant contract to develop habitat restoration plans and to advance a conservation easement and a conditional use permit (CUP) for the county‑owned 8.5‑acre Stilson parcel, but narrowed the county’s immediate scope to its own property.

Chris Colligan, public works project manager, told the board the contract would: complete an environmental analysis of the county parcel, prepare site planning and a habitat restoration plan, and include targeted public engagement. Colligan said the draft contract included separate tasks addressing a Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) parcel but that work would be subject to JHMR approval and possible cost sharing.

“You would be working with the consultant to complete an environmental analysis of our parcel, the 8- and a half acres,” Colligan said. He noted staff added public engagement and expanded wildlife movement analysis at the board’s request.

Board action and scope change
Commissioner Macker moved and the board approved a revised contract that removes the consultant tasks specifically dedicated to JHMR’s Lot 4 (identified in the staff report as phase 2b and 5b) and authorizes a contract amount not to exceed $70,000 for the county parcel work. The board asked staff to continue discussions with JHMR and to return with an amendment should the resort opt to participate in a broader planning scope.

Why it matters: Public commenters and conservation groups urged that the county evaluate restoration on a broader landscape scale. Supporters said the county parcel alone would be too small to influence wildlife movement. County staff and commissioners said the phased approach — plan the county parcel now and pursue any JHMR elements later — provides near‑term certainty about the county parcel while leaving the door open for coordinated work with the resort.

Public comment and board debate
Multiple conservation organizations and residents urged inclusion of JHMR’s Lot 4 in the restoration analysis to create a contiguous habitat area; Jenny Fitzgerald of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance said restoring only 8.5 acres would be “a drop in the bucket” unless adjoining parcels are considered. Chris Colligan and Deputy County Attorney Keith Gingery explained the contract was organized by parcel to allow the board to remove JHMR‑specific tasks; Gingery confirmed the contract’s phase structure made excision straightforward.

Vote and direction
The board approved the county‑only contract and directed staff to:
- Remove the JHMR tasks (phase 2b and 5b) from the contract now and return the contract for amendment if JHMR wishes to participate; and
- Continue outreach to JHMR and other stakeholders while advancing the county parcel’s conservation easement and CUP application.

Outcome and next steps
Staff will proceed with the environmental analysis, easement preparation and public engagement for the county‑owned 8.5 acres under the approved contract amount cap, and will report back with an amendment proposal if JHMR agrees to a cost‑share or cooperation arrangement.