A Message From Our Board

Based on increased community participation at public meetings and a recent poll in the Teton Valley News, valley residents believe growth in the region is occurring too fast and without sufficient oversight. We agree.

Valley Advocates for Responsible Development (VARD) is a non-profit advocacy group that works to ensure responsible development in Teton Valley. We are frequently asked what we mean by responsible development. To us, responsible development:

● Aligns with the Comprehensive Plan (a plan developed with much community input that ensures public health, safety, and welfare for all citizens of the valley)
● Has adequate provisions for roads & traffic, potable water, wastewater, appropriate fire mitigation and other essential services
● Provides benefit to the quality of life in Teton Valley

This latest phase in a decades-long wastewater challenge has us seriously alarmed. This issue presents not only concerns about how future development will dispose of their wastewater, but also raises significant concerns regarding potential liability to taxpayers. Despite these concerns, development applications continue to advance through the county and municipal processes.

The VARD board respectfully requests elected officials and citizens contemplate the following:

1. Does the continued approval of new housing developments reflect responsible
governance while wastewater treatment issues remain unresolved and key decisions have been deferred to the fall and, possibly, beyond?
2. To what extent might municipalities—and potentially taxpayers—be exposed to legal or financial liability if development entitlements are granted and development proceeds in the absence of adequate wastewater treatment?
3. Considering ongoing litigation between Victor and Driggs and current system limitations, what justification exists for approving additional service connections in Victor and Driggs?

The priority now should be to make sure infrastructure capacity meets existing, then planned demand. Approving additional growth without resolving these foundational issues risks creating long-term financial and operational challenges for the valley. That approach seems irresponsible to this body.

If you have thoughts or concerns regarding overdevelopment, please contact your elected officials today.

Board of Directors for Valley Advocates for Responsible Development,

Dawn Felchle, Scott Hochstrasser, Cynthia Orcutt, Mike Pfeil, Lee Simmons & Jeri Thompson