development for the benefit of its citizenry and support the County’s Resource Management Plan. As such, the County appreciates the opportunity to comment on the DEIS and accordingly submits the following comments and recommendations for the USFS’s review and consideration. These comments are in addition to comments the County submitted by letter dated January 22, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In Summation, the citizens of Duchesne County, the State of Utah, as well as the United States as a whole, will continue to benefit as the USFS fulfills its mission “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” As an overarching goal, “the County and State support the wise use, conservation, and protection of public lands and their resources, including well-planned management prescriptions.”

Thus, “it is the County’s position, as it is the State’s position, that public lands be managed for multiple uses, sustained yields, prevention of waste of natural resources, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. It is important to the County and State economy that public lands be properly managed for fish, wildlife, livestock production, timber harvest, recreation, energy production, mineral extraction, water resources, and the preservation of natural, science, scientific, and historical values.”

Managing old-growth forests like a museum: the hands-off approach advocated by many “conservationists,” is not the answer. Instead, the County encourages the USFS to focus on active forest management, forest stewardship, and vegetation treatments, to produce the desired old-growth forest conditions and achieve the required consistency with the State SRMP and the County RMP.

The County and the State of Utah has a significant amount of forest land in various stages of maturity (see: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/37cb7e33db6949c79f1f87f87968e51a).

Mature and old-growth forests should be managed for tree characteristics instead of designating specific areas or boundaries for mature and old-growth forests. Mature and old-growth forest characteristics should be considered when actively managing forest ecosystems but should not impede the ability to actively manage and restore forest ecosystems. Ecosystem resiliency is in part dependent on having a range of various tree age classifications within a forested ecosystem.

In sum, the cornerstone of proper management of the resources within Duchesne County and the State of Utah is the coordination and cooperation between county, state, and federal land management agencies. Accordingly, we thank you for your consideration of the County’s comments.

The parties discussed the letter and the County’s Resource Management Plan.

Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the letter as presented. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Deputy Attorney Tyler Allred presented the ordinance. He explained that it would slow growth to review water, road conditions, health, and safety for all current and new residents of Duchesne County. The temporary zoning ordinance shall remain in effect until March 15, 2025, unless earlier amended, modified, or repealed. The temporary land use regulation shall not exceed 180 days. The parties discussed the current growth in the county. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve Ordinance #24-415: A Temporary Land Use Regulation Prohibiting Subdivisions Over Four Parcels or Lots within Duchesne County as corrected. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Deputy Clerk-Auditor Lexie Young presented a temporary beer license permit from American Legion Post #22 for the Monster Truck event on October 4^th and 5^th. The parties discussed the event and the American Legion. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the temporary beer license as presented. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.