Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented the scoping comments letter to Ms. Lesley Tullis, the Ashley National Forest's Environmental Coordinator. He also provided the New Projects Updates West Zone Small Project Scoping Newsletter from the Ashley National Forest West Zone.

Moon Lake Water System Well, Moon Lake Campground Debris Flow Management, and Brown Duck Creek Crossing – These three projects arise from the devastating impacts of the 2020 East Fork fire that burned from August 21 to November 5, consuming approximately 89,765 acres of land and destroying 11 structures. Debris flows after the fire damaged the water system serving the Moon Lake recreation complex and caused a closure of the popular Moon Lake FS campground. The campground and the Moon Lake Guard Station face additional damage unless the proposed work is done promptly.

West Zone Vault Toilet Replacements – The County is pleased that the Ashley National Forest has been able to acquire funding from the Great American Outdoors Act to replace aged vault toilets at several facilities, including the Yellowstone, Bridge, Rock Creek, Upperstillwater, Aspen, Avintaquin, and Iron Mine campgrounds, and the Uinta Guard Station.

Yellowstone Right of Way – The County supports special uses of the forest and provides official rights of way to access these uses. In this case, the right of way would be granted over approximately 323 feet of existing roads, which have been in place for about 100 years. This will provide guaranteed access to the Yellowstone Ranch private property inholding on the east side of the Yellowstone River without causing additional surface disturbance. Providing this right of way protects the private owners’ investment and could induce the owners to make further investments, which benefits our recreation economy and the tax base.

Replacement of Dry Ridge Repeater Equipment Shelter – The County supports the provision of communication towers and associated infrastructure in the forest. These facilities are essential for administrative use and search and rescue. This high-elevation site experiences severe weather conditions, and the structure housing the electronic equipment must withstand the elements. Otherwise, the equipment will not function.

Mill Park Mineral Exploration – The County encourages mineral exploration and production from forest lands as part of the multiple-use and sustained yield opportunities provided in the Multiple-Use, Sustained-Yield Act of 1960. This proposal involves excavating exploratory trenches over a short period with minor surface disturbance.

Summary – The West Zone small projects are consistent with the Duchesne County Resource Management Plan. Several projects are needed to repair or prevent further damage associated with East Fork fire debris flows. The projects align with the multiple-use and sustained yield mandate to facilitate continued recreation and mineral development in the forest; for these reasons, the County wholeheartedly endorses these projects and encourages the Ashley National Forest to process them quickly using the appropriate categorical exclusions. The parties discussed the projects. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the letter presented for the Ashley National Forest West Zone Projects. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Commissioner Miles explained the contract is for the pre-show of the County Fair concert. The agreement is with Ntune Productions, LLC. The compensation is $5,000, half due now and the other half before the concert. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the contract and authorize the chair to sign. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Deputy Clerk-Auditor Janet Jenkins presented five new business licenses:

• Pinn Willies, owned by Arcelia Ledezma Noria, Talmage, Utah.
• Good Grief Mental Health Coaching, owned by Trinity M Jenkins, Altonah, Utah.
• Dirt Herders, LLC, owned by James Hilton, Fruitland, Utah.
• Shining Water, LLC, owned by Shawsheen Gardner, Roosevelt, Utah.
• Wild Heart Horsemanship, owned by Celeste Banks, Duchesne, Utah.