Commissioners flag park-erosion, tree-removal concerns in UPCO easement discussion

Delta County commissioners discussed terms of a proposed UPCO utility easement through a county park and asked staff to seek wording changes that would protect trees and riverbank vegetation.

Commissioners said an earlier map placed UPCO infrastructure near the Bark River. After requesting the equipment be moved to the other side of the park road, the new map reflected that change, which county staff said reduced erosion concerns. Commissioners nevertheless expressed concern that easement language granting the utility broad rights to “remove trees, brush and vegetation” could allow work that would harm riverbank stability and the park aesthetic.

A commissioner suggested language that would require UPCO to notify the county before removing vegetation inside the park and to coordinate with the county about any proposed tree removal that could affect Bark River bank erosion. Commissioners discussed that UPCO would install an equipment cabinet near existing cabins; the cabinet would be placed now but UPCO would not run service lines until later.

The board asked staff to update the easement agreement and maps to reflect the requested protections, and to send the revised agreement to UPCO for review before returning the item to the board. Commissioners also noted the road is a county road and that right-of-way clearing authority along a county road can extend from the centerline; they asked staff to account for that in easement language and mapping.

No vote was taken; the matter was treated as discussion-only and staff were directed to prepare a revised easement for future board consideration.