Council approves phased expansion of bear conflict zone, sets Aug. 1, 2026 and Aug. 1, 2027 implementation dates

Tanya Anderson, the town's ecosystem stewardship administrator, presented staff recommendations to expand Jackson's bear conflict zone in two phases and to relocate the annual bear-conflict report into the town's ecosystem health indicator report for more holistic tracking.

Anderson said the town is on track to have 100% of town-owned containers bear-resistant by 2026 and that informal checks show about 77% compliance in current areas. She proposed a phased rollout to give waste haulers and residents time to adapt and to reduce up-front burden on commercial dumpster users, noting that converting dumpsters or building enclosures is costly and operationally challenging.

"If you choose to expand to the bear conflict zone, we can leave educational door hangers as we did before," Anderson said, describing outreach and volunteer-supported efforts (including BearWise) that removed more than 21,500 pounds of apples that had been attracting bears. Staff recommended phase 1 take effect Aug. 1, 2026, with a larger phase 2 on Aug. 1, 2027, and a council return in 2028 to consider further steps.

Public commenters from conservation and hauler groups supported the phased approach. Amy Kushak of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance said the group "fully support[s] the proposed expansion" and urged a clear timeline for eventual townwide bear-resistant containers. Sheena Patel of Jackson Hole Bear Solutions warned that drought and low natural food availability can increase conflicts and offered the nonprofit's help with outreach and can distribution. Kalisa Poinsett of Yellow Iron Waste Removal (a local hauler) urged phased, targeted conversion rather than immediate, townwide requirements because bear-resistant dumpsters cost thousands of dollars apiece and haulers buy and manage most containers.

Councilor Sperry moved, and Councilor Beaman seconded, a directive for staff to expand the bear conflict zone in two phases (phase 1 by 08/01/2026; phase 2 by 08/01/2027), to incorporate reporting into the ecosystem health indicator report, and to bring the item back to council in 2028 for potential full-town implementation and follow-up planning. The motion passed unanimously.

The phased approach aims to improve compliance where bear activity is concentrated while limiting immediate cost burdens on haulers and businesses; staff noted further planning and possible enclosure strategies will be necessary for dense commercial or dumpster-heavy areas.