Trash Ordinance

CALL TO ACTION: Tell the Fremont County Sheriff and County Commissioners that you support an ordinance for secure trash storage in Fremont County for public safety and to keep people and bears safe. Email addresses and phone numbers for these officials can be found below.

FREMONT COUNTY SHERIFF:
Email
– Bart Quayl: bquayle@co.fremont.id.us
Phone
To contact the Sheriff by phone dial 208-624-4482. At the menu options press 0 or remain on the line.

FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
Email
– Mark Chandler: achandler@co.fremont.id.us
– Blair Dance: bdance@co.fremont.id.us
– Rick Hill: rhill@co.fremont.id.us
Phone
To contact the County Commissioners by phone dial 208-624-7200. At the menu options press 5 (for Clerk, County Commissioners, Recorder, Elections), then 2 (County Commissioner Office)

For more than three years, residents have called for an ordinance to secure trash storage in Fremont County. Every year, there are more bear incidents in Island Park, some of which have led to bear attacks and to bears being euthanized. Bears can be unpredictable and very dangerous.

Read The Proposed Ordinance

Any food reward – from a bird feeder full of tasty seeds or sugar water to a bowl of dog food on the deck to the contents of an overturned trash can –  teaches bears to approach people. 

The best way to eliminate attractants like food and trash is through an ordinance requiring that all trash be stored securely or in a certified bear-resistant container. This ordinance will not only save the lives of the people who live and recreate in Fremont County but will also prevent the tragic killing of wildlife when they become habituated to human food.

Island Park has an ordinance that requires all residential properties to use IGBC-certified bear-resistant garbage containers or only place non-certified trash containers outdoors during select hours on the day of trash pickup. The non-certified containers must be resecured and stored inside an enclosed building or a bear-resistant enclosure. Many homes and short-term rentals in Island Park do not fall within city limits, which is why Fremont County needs to enact a bear-resistant container ordinance.

Island Park City Ordinance

Visit this page regularly for updates on topics like these:

  • Updates on the requirements of a trash storage ordinance once passed and answers to frequently asked questions.
  • The ordinance will cover only people living in certain designated areas. What areas will be considered bear country where secure trash storage is required?
  • If people can store their trash in a secure garage or shed, they don’t need to spend money on a bear-resistant container.
  • We will work to secure discounts on purchases and provide financial assistance for low-income people who may need help paying for a bear-resistant trash can.
  • We will tell homeowners where to purchase a certified bear-resistant container or get a discount.
  • Watch for our weekly ads in the Island Park News all summer, with tips about bear safety, visiting or living in bear country, how to use bear spray and much more. We aim to reach everyone living in or visiting Island Park, including hunters, anglers, campers, and other recreationists.

Where To Find A Bear-Resistant Trash Container

Bear Guardian

Bear Guardian will provide a local 10% discount on IGCB Certified Bear Resistant (meaning grizzly tested) trash containers when you mention HFWA! They will also deliver to the Island Park Area and into West Yellowstone for free!

Trash containers can be powder coated to a color of your choosing and can be ready for delivery in just 2-3 weeks (for small orders)!

Inquire about group discounts for neighborhoods or HOAs! Contact Joe Hayes at 208.356.3263 or joe@ppccfab.com

Learn More

Westmart (West Yellowstone)

Westmart in West Yellowstone will provide an 8% discount on IGBC Certified Bear Resistant 64 and 96 gal Toter containers when you mention HFWA! These containers are grizzly tested!

Please Note: Toter is experiencing a backlog of orders, but Westmart will take orders at any time. Orders may take 2-3 months for delivery.

Learn More

Why Food Storage Is So Important

Whether you are a lifelong resident of Island Park or just visiting, we must all do our part to secure our food to avoid attracting bears. By safely securing our food and trash, we protect the lives of our loved ones and the bears. Bears are wild and need to stay wild. Never purposefully leave food or other attractants outside to attract a bear. Read more by clicking here. 

Photo credit: Grizzly “Sam” on trash can image by Gretchen Heine