Waterway Buffer Zones
Date: Ongoing
Action Alert: Tell the Jackson Town Council to Support More Stringent Waterway Buffer Zones
Buffer zones along waterways are an important tool to preserve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. Vegetation slows runoff of harmful pollutants and excess sediment and provides shade that helps maintain the colder water temperatures Jackson Hole’s native aquatic species prefer.
Unfortunately, the Town of Jackson’s current waterway setback rules are inadequate, requiring an insufficient buffer distance from development and allowing incompatible uses inside setback zones. A lack of protection is particularly concerning for Flat Creek, which is listed as impaired by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
The Town Council is considering changes to Section 5.1.1. of its Land Development Regulations. Protect Our Water Jackson Hole applauds the staff recommendation to add buffers to Spring Creek and increase wetland setbacks to 50 ft. We also support the recommendation to prohibit snow storage, fertilizer application, and equipment (including dumpsters) within streamside setbacks. However, we are asking the Council to direct Town staff to make a complete analysis of the water bodies within Town limits to find an optimum setback distance.
Community advocacy will be critical to ensuring stronger protections for Jackson’s waterways and wetlands. Public comment will be taken at the Town Council meeting on July 20th at 6pm. POWJH encourages water advocates to submit letters, email their Town Councilors, or make a verbal comment at the meeting. It takes our entire community to achieve clean water.
