Moose-Wilson roadway.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL HOUSE
JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.
0005

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2014 BUDGET SESSION

A JOINT RESOLUTION
to the United States secretary of the interior
,
the director of the national park service
and the superintendent of Grand Teton National Park
relating to
maintenance of the Moose-Wilson road.

WHEREAS, the pedestrian and bicycle pathways built in Grand Teton National Park are a resounding success, allowing people of all abilities – seniors, children, and adults, able-bodied as well as
persons with disabilities
– the chance
to
safely experience public lands without fear of being injured or killed by vehicles
; and

WHEREAS, in 2007 the
f
inal
environmental i
mpact
s
tatement for the Grand Teton National Park
transportation p
lan approved pathways and transit as a means to enhance visitors’ safety and experiences in their national park
; and

WHEREAS, before the pathways were approved and constructed, two
(2)
people were killed on roads in Grand Teton National Park on road segments where no pedestrian or bicycle pathway existed prior to 2007,
and

WHEREAS, currently there is a
seven
(7)

mile long gap along the Moose-Wilson
r
oad within the planned or built pathway network that links Teton County’s pathways with the Grand Teton National Park
; and

WHEREAS,
two-
way vehicle access from Teton County along the rural Moose-Wilson
r
oad is important and meaningful for public access to the park, as it has been for the last 120

years, predating the establishment of this national park
; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming residents and
other visitors
should have a choice to experience Grand Teton National Park outside their vehicle if a pathway provides them that opportunity
; and

WHEREAS, private funding will pay for the costs and maintenance of the Moose-Wilson pathway section in Grand Teton National Park, so as not to burden taxpayers of the United States
; and

WHEREAS, Teton Village, the Town of Jackson and Teton County are key gateway communities to Grand Teton National Park and should be stakeholders in solutions on planning for public safety and public access
; and

WHEREAS, the increased presence of grizzly bears along the Moose-Wilson
r
oad shows successful management of the species and should not mean a closure to the public when such a precedent would have implications on federal lands and national parks throughout the western United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

That the
l
egislature of the
s
tate of Wyoming supports continued two-way vehicle access on the Moose-Wilson
r
oad for the continued historic access on these national park lands within Wyoming.

Section

2
.

That the
l
egislature of the
s
tate
of Wyoming encourages Grand Teton National Park to work with adjacent
g
ateway
c
ommunities and communicate cooperatively on key issues of public safety and public access.

Section 3.

That the
l
egislature of the
s
tate
of Wyoming encourages Grand Teton National Park to study a
complete pathway designed and constructed in an environmentally sensitive way that keeps visitors and their children safe.

Section 4.

That the
l
egislature of the
s
tate
of Wyoming encourages Grand Teton National Park to partner with private donors to construct the needed pathway and recreational infrastructure so that the visitors on the Moose-Wilson
r
oad are safe and their enjoyment is enhanced.

Section 5.

That the
l
egislature of the
s
tate
of Wyoming firmly cautions Grand Teton National Park
about creating a
precedent with regard to grizzly bears being used as a trigger for the federal government
's
closure
of
public lands, as such a precedent would have major implications for hikers, horseback riders, hunters, sportsmen, bikers, birders and overall public uses throughout the West.

Section 6.

That the Secretary of
State
of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the Secretary of the Interior, to the Director of the National Park Service, to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation, and to the Superintendent of Grand Teton National Park.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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