Bridger-Teton Forest to remain autonomous

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The National Forest Service is no longer considering merging the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forests.

Before his retirement, former Intermountain Regional Forester Harv Forsgren asked both forests’ supervisors to look at opportunities to save money, including a potential merger. The forest supervisors have argued that a merger would not save enough money to be worth the effort, and new Acting Regional Forester Marlene Finley agreed with them.

Bridger Teton National Forest Supervisor Jacque Buchanan told Jackson Hole Radio that Finley’s decision was a relief.

“I think for everybody – certainly all the communities that the Bridger Teton services and, I believe all the communities that the Caribou-Targhee services – will be better off, you know, maintaining our autonomy, the way that we have been set up,” Buchanan says.

The Bridger-Teton Forest plans to sell 10 acres of land in North Jackson where the forest supervisor’s office is. Because voters did not approve the purchase of the land, it will be put up for public auction this summer.

The future location of the supervisor’s office has not been decided yet.