Commission to tie Snake River work to low flow, to protect cutthroat spawning
On Nov. 9, Teton County’s Planning Commission will consider conditioning in river construction for the Hoback Junction water project to the September to January low flow window, avoiding March 15 to July 31 to reduce impacts to spawning cutthroat trout.
Teton County’s Planning Commission is set to review a condition that would restrict any in river construction tied to a Hoback Junction water treatment facility to the Snake River’s low flow season, September through January, with no construction impacts in the river during the March 15 to July 31 cutthroat trout spawning period, according to the county staff report and recommended conditions for the permit staff report packet.
The county’s record on this permit item does not list earlier approvals for the site. In its findings, staff say, “There are no prior permits or approvals applicable to this site” staff report packet.
Background
Construction for the water treatment facility is limited to September 1–January 31 to protect cutthroat trout spawning (March 15–July 31); the project budget totals about $4.175 million, with $3 million from SPET.
Latest: 2026-06-16 — Additional $850,000 for fire hydrants, $25,000 for wastewater study, and $300,000 county contingency reserve committed, bringing total to $4.175 million.
curated as of 2026-11-04
In October 2026, the Teton County Planning Commission recommended a nine-month freeze on grading permits for new manmade waterbodies to allow time for regulatory updates and water quality protections.
Latest: 2026-10-12 — Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend a nine-month temporary freeze on grading permits for new manmade waterbodies, with specific exemptions, to the Board of County Commissioners.
curated as of 2026-10-21
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| November 9, 2026 | Planning Commission Meeting Packet — Hoback Junction Water and Sewer District Utility Facility and Variance | packet |