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County staff preparing comments on Forest Service treatments and NEPA rule changes; eyes on air‑curtain burner grant
Summary
County natural resources staff are preparing written comments for the Forest Service on upcoming vegetation treatments (including a 200‑acre East Beaver project) and plan to submit separate comments opposing proposed federal NEPA rule changes; staff also flagged a grant for air‑curtain burners and regional slash management.
San Miguel County staff said they are preparing written comments to the U.S. Forest Service regarding planned vegetation treatments and a parallel 30‑day notice on updates to NEPA procedures.
Natural resources coordinator (staff presenter) identified a treatment area labeled “East Beaver” — roughly 200 acres targeted for spruce‑fir treatment — and flagged several points the county will ask the Forest Service to address in its environmental analysis and contractor requirements: minimizing and reclaiming new temporary roads in the recently designated wildlife management area; time‑of‑year restrictions to avoid sensitive nesting periods; robust noxious‑weed mitigation and reseeding requirements on haul and treatment routes; and confirmation that any contractor hauling gravel will obtain county haul permits for use of county roads.
Staff also noted the Forest Service’s checklist materials lacked some specifics (wetlands mapping, revegetation plans and the location of slash and pile treatment residues), and said the county will request more detail before endorsing any approach that creates new routes adjacent to wilderness and wildlife management areas.
Separately, county staff said they will submit comments opposing proposed changes to federal NEPA regulations that would shorten public scoping periods, expand categorical exclusions and otherwise narrow the scope of environmental review. The county raised concerns that compressed timelines and broader categorical exclusions could limit public input and the agencies’ ability to analyze cumulative environmental impacts.
Grant opportunity: Staff reported on a regional grant opportunity for wood‑waste management (air‑curtain burners/char production). Montrose County is pursuing a larger air‑curtain burner and towing vehicle; county staff noted burners require trained operators, maintenance and likely a state smoke permit. A federal/state grant with an Aug. 29 deadline may fund smaller char burners; staff said they would follow up with Montrose County and explore a regional arrangement or a county application supported by partner organizations.
No board vote was requested; staff will submit comments before the Forest Service and federal NEPA comment deadlines and will develop a grant proposal if the county elects to pursue the air‑curtain burner funding.
Ending: County staff asked commissioners for any additional issues to include in the comment letters and said they will circulate the draft comments to interested parties before submission.
