County adopts tougher regulations regarding bear attractants, feeding wildlife

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — County commissioners this week voted to amended Land Development Regulations (LDRs) to strengthen wildlife-human mitigation efforts countywide.

Commissioners voted unanimously to update the Natural Resource Land Development Regulations, proposing amendments that would prohibit feeding of any and all wildlife (not just certain species), toughen regulations on keeping of wildlife attractants, and would make bearproof trash containers mandatory countywide.

The changes will go into effect on July 1. They include:

• Prohibition of feeding for all wildlife, not just the listed species in the current section which are antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, mountain goats, bobcats, black bears grizzly bears, mountain lions, lynx, wild bison, wolves, coyotes, foxes and racoons.
• Bird feeders shall be unavailable to wildlife at all times of the year.
• Ornamental non-native fruit bearing trees, not harvested for food, shall not be planted. Existing ornamental, non-native fruit trees shall be managed with harvesting or fencing.
• All trash shall be stored in a certified bear resistant container or dumpster countywide (exception is within Town of Jackson jurisdiction), eliminating Conflict Priority Areas 1 and 2.
• Additional language for ensuring attractants are kept in bear resistant enclosures such as grease from food service, chicken coops and feed, apiaries, compost, livestock, and fish food.

Supply chain issues and the additional costs of bearproof trash cans will make compliance a heavy lift—at least by July 1. Enforcement will also be difficult with only one code-compliance officer (Chris Neubecker) working in Teton County. But officials are counting on the spirit of the message getting through.

Everyone has to do their part in preventing wildlife-human conflicts, especially as grizzly bears expand in number and habitat range. Famed Grizzly 399 and her four cubs have made it a habit of ranging far south from their Pilgrim Creek homeland in Grand Teton, and making their way into residential neighborhoods in Wilson and Jackson the past two autumn seasons.

Bear conflicts at the heart of the bolstered regs

One of the most discussed community issues recently surrounds the use of bear resistant trash cans and dumpsters. The current LDRs contain “conflict priority areas” (CPA) within an approved map where CPA 1 requires bear resistant trash cans and CPA 2 does not.

After urging from Wyoming Game and Fish for tougher regulations in light of increased bear activity in Teton County, commissioners voted 4-0 to amend LDRs and make bearproof containers the law of the land everywhere in the county except within town limits.

County staff reached out to local waste haulers, including coordinating with Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR), regarding this change. A few issues were discussed including a current lack of supply for new bear resistant cans and dumpsters, the cost of bear resistant cans (approx. $400 vs. $80 for conventional residential can), and coordination with the county’s Pay-as-you-Throw program.

The county will slowly phase-in the change to help residents who are not able to obtain a bear resistant can immediately, or who may not be able to afford a can right away. In addition, there has been a lot of interest from local nonprofits regarding assisting with the cost or procurement of bear resistant cans.