JH Underground – news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

To the chagrin of many cyclists, the Highway 89 pathway north of town along the National Elk Refuge is closed until April 30.

The closure is part of the deal Teton County arranged with the refuge to build the pathway in 2011. Despite a recent plea by cycling advocate Tim Young to open the path early, the refuge is sticking to the specified dates.

The path offers a velvety-smooth ride 10 miles to Moose and another 8 miles to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Only the portion along the refuge, between Jackson and Gros Ventre Junction, is closed from Oct. 1 to April 30 each year; the park sections presumably are rideable when free of snow.

Although it may seem aggravating and bureaucracy at its worst, there is a rationale behind the closure. To better explain it, county pathways coordinator Brian Schilling provided the following list of frequently asked questions. The bottom line: Be patient, people, and let the refuge finish studying impacts.

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Posted under County Government, Environment, Politics, Sports

Tags: cycling, elk, grand teton national park, wildlife

Tonight Jackson-Teton County Parks and Recreation and the Snake River Fund will host an open house to help plan the future of BLM parcels along the Snake.

The open house is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the 4-H building, 255 W. Deloney Ave., adjacent to Miller Park. The county will present results of its user survey, along with maps and projected timelines for improving the Wilson and South Park access points. Representatives from WyDOT, Wyoming Game and Fish, Bridger-Teton National Forest and outfitters also will participate.

The decision over how to manage the Snake between Wilson and South Park is likely to be contentious. Already, John Wasson and other river advocates have called for limiting commercial use on the 13-mile stretch, while outfitters have drafted their own management plan.

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Posted under County Government, Economy, Environment, Politics, Sports

Tags: fishing, river running, snake river

Teton Dems are gathering tonight at Betty Rock to watch the election results and congratulate candidates on a race well run.

There will be food and drink specials, and Betty Rock will stay open late on what could be a late night for the presidential decision. The party will start soon after polls close at 7 p.m.

I expect we’ll have local results around 9. Betty Rock has a TV for national coverage and wifi for the latest updates.

Come by for a burger and beer. I plan to be there at some point. On such a momentous night, the pull of home is strong.

Let’s hope we have a lot to celebrate, locally and nationally.

Posted under County Government, Democratic Party, Food, Politics, Town Government, Wyoming Legislature

Tags: campaign 2012, restaurants

There are two days left to cast a vote in the 2012 election. Today, residents can register and vote in advance at the county clerk’s office, 200 S. Willow St.

On Election Day, voters must go to their neighborhood polling place and can register before casting a ballot. A higher-resolution version of the above map, including the entire county, can be found here. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In town, there are four places to vote. Residents east of Redmond Street vote at Senior Center; those between Glenwood and Redmond vote at the Rec Center; everyone between Glenwood and Highway 89 votes at the Fair Building; and neighborhoods farthest west vote at the Presbyterian Church.

Only a photo ID is required to register. While a Wyoming driver’s license is preferred, other states’ are accepted, too. The clerk’s office is closed Tuesday.

Posted under County Government, Politics, Town Government, Wyoming Legislature

Tags: campaign 2012

Of all the choices facing voters in the Nov. 6 election, none is easier than Proposition #3, the proposal to clean up and cap the old landfill south of town and begin planning a new trash transfer station.

The price tag is steep — $14.5 million in sales tax revenue — but the county has to take action, facing a deadline from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. As this video illustrates, toxic chemicals are leaching from old trash into groundwater and eventually could contaminate the Snake River.

County residents either can pay for the cleanup via sales tax — with tourists bearing their share — or property tax.

The ballot measure also would pay for planning of an improved facility on the site for trash transfer, recycling and composting. Expanding these services can help the community save money in the long run. The more waste we divert, the less we will pay for trash hauling to the landfill near Idaho Falls.

The proposal is one of three for specific-purpose excise tax, or SPET, revenue. Also up for vote are the proposal to buy the 10-acre Forest Service property on North Cache for $13.5 million, which I do not support, and Proposition #2, finishing the pathway connection between West Broadway and Wilson for $4.4 million, which I do support.

Posted under County Government, Environment, Politics, Town Government

Tags: conservation, recycling, snake river