A group paddles a canoe on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. (Ruffin Prevost/Yellowstone Gate file photo - click to enlarge)
The public is reminded that the Jenny Lake Renewal Plan Environmental Assessment (Jenny Lake Plan/EA) is available for public review, and comments are due by March 15, 2014.
The purpose of the Jenny Lake Renewal initiative is to create a master plan that will provide for an improved visitor experience that is both safe and environmentally sensitive, as well as enriched through educational and informational opportunities.
This plan is needed to address several unfavorable conditions in the Jenny Lake area such as: aging and/or poorly designed trails and walkways that do not meet current trail and accessibility standards; aging and failing bridges in the backcountry; user-created trails with resource degradation; compacted soils and bare ground in destination locations; limited self-guided interpretation/orientation opportunities; outdated water and wastewater systems; and inadequate restroom facilities in South Jenny Lake area.
The preferred alternative is broken into two distinct areas: front-country sites and backcountry locations. The proposed front-country effort would make improvements in the South Jenny Lake developed area, as well as the locations of Jenny Lake overlook and String Lake outlet. The proposed plan would improve visitor circulation throughout the South Jenny Lake developed area and address the need for improved visitor orientation and interpretation. It would also provide accessible trails throughout this complex, provide additional restrooms, and rehabilitate the water and wastewater systems. The proposed backcountry improvements would include rehabilitation of the west boat dock, improvement of the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point viewing areas, and rehabilitation of the trails connecting these two locations.
Comments on the Jenny Lake Plan/EA can be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/jennylake or in writing to: Grand Teton National Park, Planning Office, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012. Comments submitted via U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked by March 15, 2014.
Anyone choosing to submit a comment is advised that responses given—including personal identifying information—could be made public at any time. Although persons making comments may request that their personal identifying information be withheld from public access, there is no guarantee that the National Park Service will be able to honor such a request.