Commission ratifies letter to NRCS to preserve Joe’s Valley PL-566 flood control classification
Loading...
Summary
Commissioners ratified a letter to the Natural Resources Conservation Service arguing that the PL-566 Cottonwood Creek–Joe’s Valley project is flood control, preserving eligibility for a higher grant share and shielding the county from larger cost shares.
The Emery County Commission ratified a previously sent letter asking the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service to classify the Cottonwood Creek (Joe’s Valley) project as flood control under PL-566 rules, a designation county officials said would protect the county from having to absorb a larger share of construction costs.
Commissioners said the project was originally pursued in 2018 as a flood-control plan with two basins above Orangeville and two structures above Joe’s Valley. The NRCS later proposed changing the funding share to a 65/35 split (county paying 35%), prompting the county to ask NRCS to restore the flood-control determination. County staff said NRCS has now agreed to return the project to flood-control status and the county is moving planning toward national review.
Jay, the county’s project presenter, told the commission planning is nearly complete and the project will go out for national review; he estimated planning will finish within a year and then the project requires congressional authorization. He also told the board that roughly $4 million–$5 million has been spent on planning so far.
Federal and local land managers raised design and environmental concerns at the meeting. Darren Olsen, representing the U.S. Forest Service region involved in the project, said catchment basins are effective for post-fire sediment control but “have to be regularly maintained,” and he flagged scenic integrity and potential impacts to bluehead sucker habitat as concerns. Commissioners and presenters said maintenance would fall to the Emery Water Conservancy District if the project proceeds.
Commissioner discussion emphasized the project’s purpose to protect water storage and noted the project includes fish ladders and other design features. The commission voted to ratify the county’s letter to NRCS.
Why it matters: The PL‑566 designation affects federal cost-share and who bears construction costs for large watershed/flood-control projects. The decision preserves the county’s original 2018 intent for flood protection and keeps the project eligible for the funding structure that prompted county support.