Teton County and the Teton Conservation District have selected nine community members from the Hoback Junction area to take part in a stakeholder group aimed at exploring methods for improving drinking water quality in that area. The Hoback Drinking Water Steering Committee, consisting of the Teton County Health Department, Teton County Engineering Division and Teton Conservation District, selected the stakeholders based on the results of a survey that was opened to the public in September. The selection criteria included expressing interest in being a stakeholder, location, ability to fill one of the previously identified seats, and historical knowledge or interest in Hoback drinking water quality. The steering committee is hosting an event at Hoback Fire Station 3 on October 22nd for the community to meet the stakeholders and have their own drinking water screened for nitrate. Samples may be brought to the open house for testing. The first stakeholder group meeting will take place in November. The group will meet at least four times and host at least one public meeting during a 12-month period. At the conclusion of this process, stakeholders will present recommendations to the Teton County Board of County Commissioners and Teton Conservation District Board of Supervisors on actions to improve the availability of safe drinking water in the Hoback Junction area.
