MINUTES OF COMBINED COMMISSION WORKING & REGULAR SESSION
MEETING HELD MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025, BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M. IN
DUCHESNE, UTAH

Commissioner Greg Miles, Commissioner Tracy Killian, Commissioner Jeff Chugg, Deputy Attorney Tyler Allred, Public Works Director Mike Casper, Public Works Deputy Director Clint Curtis, Surveyor Ryan Allred, Human Resource Generalist Tommi Mascaro, Human Resource Payroll & Benefits Administrator Jamie Park, Economic Development Director Deborah Herron, Clerk-Auditor Chelise Stewart, Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson, Community Development Director Mike Hyde, Treasurer Stephen Potter, Division of Wildlife Resources Regional Supervisor Miles Hanberg, and Commission Executive Assistant Melissa Hughes is taking the meeting minutes.

Chairman Miles welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Public Works Director Mike Casper updated the public on existing projects and upcoming work. Over the weekend, two to six inches of snow fell across the Basin. Small storms cost and require the same work as large storms. The graders are out today cleaning up the gravel roads. The crusher is down for maintenance, and the crew will attend training. They are starting the North Crescent widening project this week. A water leak on Tabby Mountain caused ice buildup on some of the roads. They have been closed for safety. They will check on the roads in Rock Creek for snow removal. Commissioner Miles asked about the drainage on the Boys Ranch project. They haven’t seen any issues. The French drain is working as designed.

Public Works Deputy Director Clint Curtis presented a residential approach permit. The parties discussed the permit request. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the permit as presented. Commissioner Chugg seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Chugg voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.

Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented the Support Letter to Ashley National Forest Supervisor Kristy Groves. He explained that the NRCS-Utah Snow Survey office has proposed installing a fully automated SNOTEL site in the Uinta River headwaters near Fox Lake Dam (coordinates: 40.792518, -110.162246). The proposed SNOTEL site would address a critical need for additional snowpack and climate monitoring in the Uinta River watershed. The parties discussed the project and the information it would provide. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the support letter as presented. Commissioner Chugg seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Chugg voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.

Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented Resolution #25-02 Opposing Continued Presidential Abuse of the 1906 Preservation of American Antiquities Act. He gave examples of past Presidential abuse in Utah with the Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase. The Antiquities Act was enacted before the creation of federal land management laws. It was intended by Congress to be used in emergency situations to protect historic artifacts and sites of scientific value from “imminent threat,” which, in all cases, must be confined to the smallest land area necessary to protect those objects or sites. Many