received a letter from the Ashley National Forest regarding a small-scale mineral exploration activity in the Pole Mountain-Farm Creek area of the Ashley National Forest, within Duchesne County. Tesoro seeks authorization to use equipment to access and open an old, collapsed mine entry to facilitate exploration and sampling for valuable minerals. Surface disturbance is expected to be less than one acre and would be reclaimed upon completion of the exploration. The letter includes Duchesne County’s policies associated with mining. It concludes: We find that the proposed exploration operations are consistent with the policy statements of the Duchesne County Resource Management Plan. We agree with your plans to prepare an environmental assessment toward a likely finding of no significant impact. We agree that the proposal falls within the exemptions permitted in inventoried roadless areas. The parties discussed the letter and the project. Commissioner Chugg made a motion to sign the support letter for the Tesoro Exploration Project as prepared by Mike Hyde. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Chugg voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Discussion & Consideration of the Letter Regarding Frozen NRCS Funding for Duchesne County Water Conservancy District
Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented the letter to Mr. Allen D. Freemyer, President of Freemyer & Associates PC. He explained that in 2018, the District applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) PL-566 Watershed Program on behalf of six different irrigation companies and two communities. The phase 1 grant (Plan-EA of the proposed projects) was awarded on January 7, 2019, and is currently in its final stages, with an estimated completion date of Summer 2025. Phase 2 (final design) and Phase 3 (construction) grants were awarded on August 15, 2022, and have funds committed for completion. Phases 2 and 3 cannot begin until Phase 1 is completed.
The NRCS grant award totals $31.72 million in federal funds with $8.3 million in matching funds. The seven projects in the grants will help conserve or better utilize an estimated 41,190 acre-feet of water annually, benefiting 87,328 acres of agricultural land. For the past six years, the District has been working with the NRCS to utilize the grant funds to complete the abovementioned projects to conserve and enhance water use in our arid County.
In recent months, reimbursements approved by the NRCS have been stopped, leaving the District unable to pay consultants working on the project. The County and the District are seeking help from our congressional delegation to release the approved funding so that these critical projects can progress toward completion. The parties discussed the letter and the potential amount of water to be conserved with the projects. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the support letter. Commissioner Chugg seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Chugg voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Discussion & Consideration of Purchasing Property
Commissioner Miles explained that this is a home in Duchesne. It will be used to recruit and retain new hire employees. This is a low-cost opportunity. It is a three-bedroom modular home with a detached garage. The home will cost $285,000 and will be purchased using fund 41. Commissioner Killian made a motion to purchase the house for $285,000. Commissioner Chugg seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Chugg voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Auditor's Office – Vouchers
Deputy Clerk-Auditor Lexie Clayburn presented the April 22, 2025, vouchers, check numbers 168787 through 168860, for $446,126.29. The parties reviewed the vouchers submitted. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the vouchers for April 22, 2025, as presented. Commissioner Chugg seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Chugg voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Auditor's Office – Surplus
Clerk-Auditor Chelise Stewart presented the surplus items from the Event Center and Sheriff’s Department before the meeting. There are three desks, a hutch, several round plastic tables, a file cabinet with drawers, a printer, and a countertop. The parties discussed