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.

One Grizzly Killed in June 2025 In Fremont County by IDFG. Click Here to Read IDFG’s Official Statement.

Two Grizzlies Killed in Sept 2023 In Fremont County by IDFG. Click Here to Read a Local’s Response and IDFG’s Official Statement.

In a meeting on August 7, 2023, Commissioners Discussed Implementation of Bear-Resistant Container Ordinance and Took it Under 60-Day Advisement. As of June 2025, no action has been taken.

CLICK HERE to view the draft text

Grizzly bears are magnificent icons of wilderness. We must protect them, as well as protect the safety of our citizens and visitors, most of whom treasure our wildlife and love to see bears in the wild. We need an ordinance to require homeowners and businesses to store their trash in bear-resistant containers or structures.

In 2022 and 2023, the sheriff, the mayor of Island Park, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials attended Fremont County Commission meetings in support of an ordinance, but the commissioners have decided to postpone action for further consideration.

Every year there are more bear incidents in Island Park, and some have led to bear attacks, which can be unpredictable and very dangerous.

In 2022, Idaho Fish and Game had to kill five grizzly bears in Island Park and euthanize a black bear at a local campground a few weeks later – all due to bears becoming food-conditioned to human trash and a danger to humans. Island Park’s issues with killing bears made the national news – not what we want to be known for. In September 2023, two more grizzlies were killed just east of Ashton after becoming food-conditioned and a danger to people.

Any food reward teaches bears to approach people. We must eliminate attractants like food and trash. And the best way to do that is through an ordinance requiring that all trash be stored in certified bear-resistant containers. This ordinance will not only save the lives of the people who live and recreate in Fremont County but also will prevent the tragic killing of our precious wildlife.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN IGBC CERTIFIED BEAR RESISTANT TRASH CONTAINER? LOOK NO FURTHER!