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Emery County planning commission agrees to use $10,000 in PLIPCO funds toward county resource management plan
Summary
The Emery County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to use $10,000 from the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to pay BioWest for work on the county resource management plan, and discussed tightening county policy language to better coordinate with federal agencies.
The Emery County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to use $10,000 provided by the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLIPCO) to pay BioWest for work on Emery County’s resource management plan, a component of the county’s general plan.
Nicole Nelson, a representative of PLIPCO, told the commission that PLIPCO would like “to make sure they get that money off of their books” before the end of the PLIPCO fiscal year and asked that the county prioritize the resource management plan work so the funds can be used. Nelson said the money is reimbursable and the county must produce an eligible product before payment: “we'd like to get that spent before the end of the fiscal year.”
Commission Chair Gary Arrington made the motion to use PLIPCO’s funds first to pay BioWest. The commission approved the motion without dissent.
Commissioners and PLIPCO staff discussed the purpose and uses of a county resource management plan. Nelson brought a copy of the State of Utah’s resource management plan as a model and said counties are asked to develop their own plans so federal agencies and the state can consider county policy during consistency reviews and other processes. Nelson said the county plan can help when federal agencies conduct NEPA reviews or other actions that affect county resources.
Commission members pressed for specific local policy directions to include in the update. Commissioners raised examples they want clarified or tightened in the plan—how the county plans to manage wild horses, travel management and road access, and siting of large solar projects on state trust and federal lands. Commissioners discussed options such as stating county goals, objectives and policy statements (for example, limiting new roads or identifying preferred areas for solar) so federal and state planners have clearer guidance.
Jim (the county planning and zoning administrator) and Natalie (the commission secretary) were asked to coordinate with county finance (Brenda in the county office) to ensure acceptance and processing of the PLIPCO funds follows county procedures; Nelson reiterated the contract will be with the county and the county will pay BioWest. Nelson offered to provide links and example county resource management plans (Beaver, Duchesne, Garfield) and to return for future meetings to review draft language.
The commission and PLIPCO staff discussed timing and next steps: BioWest will begin work on the county resource management plan and the commission will review specific paragraphs and policy language in subsequent meetings. Nelson also noted PLIPCO can help articulate county positions if litigation or agency disputes arise.
A final administrative note: the commission agreed to work with county finance to verify the reimbursable terms and that the county produce the deliverable required to secure the PLIPCO reimbursement.
