To: Teton County Commissioners
Brad Wolf Dan Powers Ron James
Re: Opposition to Variance Request by My Private Idaho

We, as a community, strongly oppose the variance request by My Private Idaho. We voiced multiple critical concerns during the meeting with the Planning/Zoning commissioners who then voted unanimously to deny the variance. We ask that you commissioners also side with the many 
constituents that you are bound to serve by your positions over one single interest. The probable negative impact of their desire to put a sewage line on a foot bridge at the very head of a main irrigation ditch poses too much risk for the entire population downstream.

This is a health and safety issue and the law states that variances cannot be injurious to constituents. There is a reason why it is not permissible to allow leech fields and septic systems in wetlands. This owner should be held to the same safety regulations as all other landowners.  There have been several instances of E Coli contamination of waterways, even beaches that have caused significant damage with both health and financial ramifications.

A footbridge with an active sewer line over the irrigation ditch poses, at the very least, the below serious and unavoidable problems. We don’t believe that the owners understand the nature of how winter ice accumulates and layers under running water, how freeze and thaw cycles heave and shift, and that even when all looks well, trouble can be brewing.

1. Rupture of the PVC pipe would be environmentally catastrophic - 
   We all depend on this water for many uses, including but not limited to irrigation. Our stock drinks this water, our children and grandchildren play in it, people swim in the ponds fed by this 
   water, wildlife drink it. This water is the lifeblood of our land. Allowing one single party to risk its purity for the rest of the community is unacceptable.  Livelihoods depend on this water.
2. Maintenance nightmare - Even without the footbridge, our ditch riders clean this area of debris and beaver dams at considerable physical risk. It is steep and the footing is precarious. Adding a place for debris to accumulate is an increased hazard for maintenance. Spring runoff bringing in trees and debris will compromise the structure and create significant hardship. The landowner is not even maintaining the bridge that is currently present.

As a group, we ask that you deny the variance requested based on the law, health and safety concerns and the fact that the people you serve are making this request. We are counting on our commissioners to serve and protect the interests of the majority, the very people who voted you all into office.

Join us in this effort to protect our community and voice your opposition to the variance request by My Own Private Idaho. Sign this petition and help us send a strong message Teton County Board of Commissioners that the community's well-being should always come first.