Targhee FEIS, Draft ROD & Development Updates

GTR FEIS Objection Period is Open

The Forest Service's Draft Record of Decision (ROD) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Grand Targhee Resort's expansion request are out, officially opening the 45-day objection period. The ROD confirms that the Forest Service has chosen to allow Targhee a majority of its proposed projects within bounds and to expand its footprint by 694 acres into South Bowl and the Mono Trees. This decision comes despite significant concerns about environmental and socioeconomic impacts from our local government and community.

What is VARD doing? 

We submitted a letter to Teton County, WY commissioners with our NGO collaborative partners—read it HERE. And, we are going through the FEIS—one page at a time. We'll keep you posted! 

The opportunity to object is only open to those who have commented on the project before; to see if your comment was previously recorded, search for your name in the public reading room. The content of your objection must directly relate to your previous comments and/or how the USFS failed to address your concerns in the FEIS or ROD.

An objection must include:

1). Your name, address, telephone number, and email address. 

2). Identification of the lead objector, when multiple names are listed on an objection.

3). The subject: “Grand Targhee Master Development Plan Projects” 

4). Addressed to: Kim Pierson, Forest Supervisor Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

5). A statement of the issues to which the objection applies.

6). A statement that demonstrates the link between your comments submitted spring of 2025 and the content of the objection.

7). A concise statement explaining the objection and suggesting how the proposed plan decision may be improved. Identify how the plan is inconsistent with law, regulation, or policy.

To view how your comment was addressed by USFS in the FEIS, search for your name in the FEIS document. Each comment has been paired with a designated number; this number is used in Appendix E to show how the Forest Service addressed your comment in the FEIS. If you need help navigating the document, give us a call and we can do a quick walk through with you.

The deadline to submit an objection is July 13, 2026; you can access the comment portal here. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our team.  

If you do not wish to use the USFS online portal to submit your comment, objections can be emailed to jay.pence@usda.gov or mailed to:

Kim Pierson, Forest Supervisor

c/o Jay Pence, Teton Basin District Ranger

Caribou-Targhee National Forest

1405 Hollipark Drive

Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Victor Wastewater Treatment System Updates

In the Driggs City Council meeting earlier this week, Driggs heard from Victor City staff and council members on potentially reopening talks for a shared  wastewater treatment system. Driggs is focused on capacity concerns at this time and had asked 2 questions for Victor representatives to be prepared to answer at the meeting - both of which remain unanswered. Driggs is currently required by the EPA to construct a new wastewater treatment plant and has applied for grant funding to upgrade the current system. However, the proposed design for the Driggs plant has been denied by the DEQ as it would be unable to support Victor if Victor is unable to provide for itself. Although it is clear Victor has intentions to formally part from Driggs, it is still reliant on Driggs at this time.

As of now, no formal agreement has been reached by the two cities and discussions have been tabled until further notice. Driggs council has requested to meet with Victor council, and invite the community, for further discussion. To read the Teton Valley News recap here, click here. If you would like to watch the recording of the hearing, visit the City of Driggs website.

Fall River Electric Drops Reconsideration Request

The reconsideration request submitted by Fall River Electric for their midway substation has been withdrawn. This hearing was originally scheduled for June 8th but has been pulled as the application requires a wildlife mitigation study before being brought back to the Teton County Board of Commissioners.