Last Day to Comment on YNP Project

It’s the last day for residents to send comments in to the National Park Service regarding a proposed construction project between Fishing Bridge and the East Entrance to Yellowstone.
In their letter, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce pointed out their concern for the environmental assessment that dismisses socio economics as a source of concern. They say, quote, “citing only the possible impacts of monies spent by the construction workers inside and outside Yellowstone National Park while working on the project as being of negligible impact is unintentionally insulting,” endquote.
The environmental assessment as written proposes a total road closure after Labor Day as part of the construction project that would renovate two bridges on the highway between Fishing Bridge and the East Entrance. A report compiled by the Chamber shows that in 2016, August and September were almost equal in the number of visitors entering the Chamber Visitor Center – about 18,500 people.
On a tangible level, those visitor numbers translate to dollars for the Cody community. The Lodging Tax monthly collection averages $246,700 throughout the year. But monthly collections in September and October in the last few years have been 132% higher.
They are requesting that a much more in-depth discussion on the topics of closures and delays be conducted between Park officials and Cody community leaders.