A Summer in Southeastern Idaho

By Mabel Collins and Brey Weygandt

Mabel: Over the last summer, I had the opportunity to spend time in arguably the most beautiful area in Idaho. I got to work as a seasonal intern for the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Falls office. During my internship, I got to engage in a variety of tasks and interact with the public recreation enthusiasts. Meanwhile, I got to learn how a public land agency manages public lands in such a way to balance both recreation and protection of natural resources. My favorite activity included going out on the Snake River and cleaning the campsites alongside the river. I got to sharpen my rowing skills and see the natural beauty that can be simply overlooked from the road or more commonly visited areas.

Simultaneously, I had the opportunity to work with graduate student, Brey Weygandt, on a research project that focused on recreation access along the Teton River. During this experience, I strengthened my public speaking skills and had the chance to hear local perspectives on recreation in the area. Plus, I got to see a beautiful sunset every evening with the Grand Teton in the background.

Brey: Working with Mabel on the Teton River project was a great experience. The Bureau of Land Management funded our study as part of the federal relicensing of the Felt Hydroelectric Project. The study explores how people use the Teton River canyon near Felt Dam, what they value about it, and how they’d feel about potential changes to access. Most days, Mabel and I were out talking with residents, local organizations, outfitters, and government agencies, or posted up at boat ramps chatting with anyone headed to the river. It was quickly apparent that people greatly value this stretch of river and its natural character (I mean, who wouldn’t!?). These talks were often filled with warnings about rattlesnakes in the area, as well as tales of fishing and floating on the Teton. In our off time we found a spare moment to float the upper Teton ourselves and spotted moose!

In late August, I returned to Teton Valley with UI faculty members Dr. Chris Zajchowski and Dr. Travis Paveglio, where we held four focus groups and a few interviews. We asked stakeholders what they value about the canyon, what they’d like to see in its future management, and what they think about potential changes to access. The three of us also checked out the Bitch Creek slide, a roughly 1,000-foot descent that’s currently the main way anglers get down to the river. It was absolutely the gnarliest access point I’ve ever seen, and I was in awe of the lengths people go to just to reach the river.

It was my first time facilitating focus groups and co-leading a funded project, and I’m grateful to Chris and Travis for backing me up (and taking notes!) along the way. We’re now pulling our findings together into a report for the BLM. The project is also the foundation of my M.S. thesis, which looks into how people’s attachment to the river shapes how they think about changes to access. A huge thank you to the BLM Upper Snake Field Office and to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives with us!