There are some places that warrant separated paved pathways such as Teton Pass, pictured here.

This photo illustrates the pathway construction underway adjacent to Teton Pass in October 2026.

However, this type of deforestation and bulldozing a vast swath of land does not belong in the very sensitive Moose-Wilson Corridor of Grand Teton National Park.

The National Park Service (NPS) conducted a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with full public involvement regarding the future protection and management of the Moose-Wilson Corridor. In the 2016 Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) the NPS determined that constructing a paved separate pathway would destroy critical wildlife habitat for several species including grizzly bears, moose, raptors, nesting birds, and an elk calving ground. The pathway construction would obliterate several indigenous archeological sites.

Any new construction currently proposed for the Moose-Wilson Corridor must be thoroughly evaluated by a supplemental EIS under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

This has not been done. Instead, with no further analysis or public involvement, the NPS was ordered to construct the pathway by officials at the Department of the Interior.

Ignoring a Final EIS and ROD is precedent setting for every national park, national forest and other public lands.

The American public is making their voices heard on this issue. The Teton County WY, Board of County Commissioners, has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Interior and copied the WY Congressional Delegation objecting to the ordered pathway and asking for further discussions about options. Link to County’s Letter.  https://tinyurl.com/4kd2jbv8