Conservation groups urge stronger creek setbacks and wetland protections as council adopts NRO

Multiple conservation organizations urged the Town Council to strengthen the adopted Natural Resources Overlay and buffer protections before finalizing the LDR amendments.

Jen Evans, advocacy director for Protect Our Water Jackson Hole, thanked staff for engagement and asked the council to tighten wetland exceptions so degraded or irrigation-created wetlands retain protection, to require demonstration of reasonable alternatives before filling wetlands, and to increase some wetland setbacks (for example from 30 to 50 feet). Amy Kushak of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance said the proposed tiered NRO was an important update and urged stronger town-wide standards for wildlife permeability, clearer design guidance about placement of development on sites, and a timeline for fencing and permeability work before the end of 2026.

Staff and the council acknowledged the recommendations. Planning staff said targeted technical analysis of constrained creek corridors (like portions of Flat Creek) could be used to refine setback requirements and that enforcement of buffer prohibitions (dumpsters, fertilizer, snow storage) would be site-specific and will take time and outreach. The council adopted the current amendments at the meeting but directed staff to continue stakeholder work and to present technical analyses and ordinance readings in follow-up sessions.

The public comments enriched the record and left open the possibility of further edits to wetland exceptions and setback details after more study.