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Jackson council approves release of RFP for Kearns Meadow ecological monitoring
Summary
Council approved releasing an RFP to hire an ecologist to summarize past studies and establish pre-construction and multi-year monitoring at Kearns Meadow, estimating ~$60,000 the first year and $40,000–$50,000 annually thereafter; funding will require a budget amendment.
The Town of Jackson on Dec. 1 approved release of a request for proposals (RFP) to hire an ecologist to provide baseline data and ongoing monitoring for Kearns Meadow park. Councilors and staff emphasized the importance of collecting pre-construction data so impacts from the planned park improvements can be measured and managed.
Staff described the RFP scope as a summary of existing studies plus targeted monitoring of human use, changes in the acoustic environment, plant communities (including invasives), and impacts on overwintering wildlife. Tammy Anderson told the council that the first-year cost to set up monitoring is likely to be around $60,000 and that ongoing monitoring would likely cost $40,000–$50,000 per year; the work is not currently budgeted and would require a future budget amendment or partner funding.
Possible funding partners and cost-saving measures were discussed. Staff listed potential partial funders and partners, including a 50% match program at the Teton Conservation District, a small-grant option from local wildlife funds, and contributions from the Jackson Hole Land Trust and private philanthropy. Staff also described lower-cost options such as targeted bird banding with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, citizen-science efforts and narrowing the RFP scope.
Councilors and members of the public advocated releasing the RFP now to capture pre-construction data from the coming spring; several said baseline measurements are essential to an adaptive management plan and to set thresholds that would trigger mitigation or modifications during or after construction. Councilor Schechter moved to release the RFP with minor edits; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff noted that the RFP release does not itself commit funds beyond scoping and that a budget amendment would be required to contract the work.
What happens next: staff will publish the RFP for proposals, evaluate bids and return to council with recommended awards and a proposed funding plan (budget amendment) before work begins so that pre-construction monitoring can include the upcoming spring season.
