Another month has been tacked onto the public comment period for Grand Teton National Park's Moose-Wilson Corridor Draft Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, a plan controversial enough to prompt Wyoming's governor to summon the park superintendent to Cheyenne for a closed-door meeting.

The comment period, which began on October 29, was initially scheduled to end on December 29. The extension through January 30 brings the total public review and comment period to 93 days.

While the NPS is working to complete the planning effort in an accelerated time frame, the planning team determined that it was important to allow additional time at this step in the process.

“We are looking for substantive and thoughtful feedback that will help us make a well-informed final decision,” said Superintendent David Vela. “This extension beyond the upcoming holiday season will help support these interests.”

While the park staff is recommending a management plan that would limit vehicle access to the narrow, two-lane road that runs through the park from Moose to Teton Village, the Wyoming governor has complained to regional Park Service officials that the state wasn't properly given an opportunity to comment on the plan as it was being drafted.

"You failed to address my concerns or to recognize the valuable role cooperating agency expertise can and should play in arriving at a positive solution for the Moose-WIlson Road," he wrote Intermountain Region Director Sue Masica and Superintendent Vela in mid-October.

What transpired in the closed-door meeting last month isn't known. 

Along with announcing the extension of the public comment period, the park's planning team will host an informational and interactive public open house this Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Teton County Library in Jackson, Wyoming. Those attending will have the opportunity to learn more about the Draft Plan/EIS, ask questions about the alternatives and the analysis used to identify the preferred alternative, and provide feedback.

While all public comments are informative, the planning team is particularly interested in feedback regarding the accuracy and adequacy of the information and analysis presented in the Draft Plan/EIS. The planning team is looking for any new information, suggestions, or ideas that will improve the analysis and ultimately strengthen the Plan/EIS. Once a Record of Decision is signed in the fall of 2016, the document will guide future management of the corridor.

The Draft Plan/EIS is available for viewing and download on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website.