Advisory vote to be held on Island Park National Monument status

One topic on the Fremont County ballot is raising a lot of controversy. The issue is whether Island Park should become a national monument.

Right now, a group of citizens is mailing out postcards to county residents. The president of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce, Jackie Jensen, said people in other parts of the county have no idea there is an advisory vote on the ballot.

Kenneth Watts helped write the advisory vote. The question will ask, “Do you favor or oppose the designation of any part of Fremont County as a national monument?”

“We read this report by a law school at Ohio State University, and they said one of the most profound effects you can have on having a national monument or not is to have an advisory vote,” Watts said.

Watts said the results won’t be binding, but having it on the ballot will make it so no one can distort the opinions of Fremont County.

Meanwhile, the Island Park Chamber of Commerce is mailing out postcards to raise awareness about the issue.

“We know our commissioners, our mayor, our officials do not support this. It is very unclear where this is coming from, and anyone that is a recreationalist in Island Park should get out and find out what it means,” said Jensen.

While many people are opposed, some say a monument is a good idea, but only with a proclamation that includes the needs and desires of the people.

During George W. Bush’s second term, his administration explored the idea of designating Island Park as a national monument. Nothing has been made official since then.

On the Custer County ballot, there is also an advisory vote on the national monument status for the Boulder White Clouds.

The general election will be held Nov. 4.