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Ranchers and Fremont County discuss adding two access points to Rails‑to‑Trails easement
Summary
Fremont County commissioners and local ranchers reviewed proposed additions to an existing easement on the Rails‑to‑Trails corridor to add two access points (including “Kirby Pasture/Draw”) and discussed fence damage, bridge responsibility and lack of tribal access agreements. Staff will draft changes and return with a revised agreement.
Greg, a rancher and landowner, told the Fremont County Board that he and other landowners would like the county to modify an existing Rails‑to‑Trails easement to add two additional accesses, including a route described as the Kirby Pasture (Kirby Draw) and a north/east access.
The proposed change would expand the current agreement that already allows access across a structure the speakers called the Black Bridge. Greg said the property involved totals about 855 acres and that the county’s existing agreement gives trail access at the Black Bridge; the proposal would “add these 2 accesses just like you have the ability to come here and go from the trail,” he said. The ranch representative also said there is no existing access agreement with tribal lands on a separate portion of the route.
Why it matters: Commissioners and ranchers said the proposed additional access would make it easier to bring equipment to maintain the trail and fences. County staff and the ranchers discussed who would be responsible for major repairs to the Black Bridge if it were to be declared impassable; speakers said the agreement should state the county would not be obligated to rebuild or maintain a bridge that is abandoned or condemned.
During discussion, county and volunteer trail maintenance representatives raised recurring problems with trail users damaging fences and ignoring posted rules. A volunteer described routine fence repair work and a small budget the county provides for fixes; ranch representatives requested that trail users respect fences and avoid cutting them.
County staff said there are existing two‑track roads providing the new accesses and that heavy equipment could use those routes, though some tracks are not well maintained. The group also identified a need to verify whether tribal access agreements exist before adding related access language.
Next steps: County staff (Nathan) was asked to review the existing agreements, incorporate the suggested changes and coordinate with the ranchers’ attorney, Ed Boychnell of Jackson. The county will draft a revised agreement and ask the ranchers to return for further review or approval. No formal vote was taken; the item was taken under advisement for revision and return.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a written amendment that clarifies responsibilities for bridge repair and the easement’s attachment to the land (not to individual owners). The county will provide a draft to the ranch representatives and their attorney for review before the commission considers formal approval.
