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Natural resources staff update: watershed grant win, wildfire recovery planning and Passat Mesa Verde project progress
Summary
Natural resources staff reported a successful WRAP grant, ongoing work with collaboratives to identify high‑value resources for post‑fire mitigation, progress on Passat Mesa Verde design segments and upcoming federal comment deadlines on lynx critical habitat.
James Dietrich, the county’s Natural Resources and Noxious Weed representative, briefed the board on multiple ongoing conservation, post‑fire recovery and infrastructure projects.
Dietrich said the Dolores Water Collaborative secured a Watershed Restoration and Protection (WRAP) grant. Staff are now identifying high‑value resources and potential “pinch points” where post‑fire flooding could threaten critical infrastructure, such as water intakes serving Cortez and Dolores communities. He told the board the group initially identified dozens of high‑value resources but expects to prioritize “probably 4 at the most” because funding is limited.
On broader collaborative work, Dietrich said the Montelores Coalition has been developing a roundtable to set goals for a proposed plan that the county might adopt; he said he is steering the coalition away from more politically sensitive issues to increase the plan’s chances of adoption.
Dietrich reported progress on the Passat Mesa Verde project: segment A is in active design, segment B is shovel‑ready and segments C and D are also largely shovel‑ready. He said the county requested restoration of MMOF funding previously removed from the project and scheduled a February 5 meeting with CDOT and partner agencies to develop a funding strategy.
Dietrich also said staff are reviewing a proposed federal expansion of lynx critical habitat; comments on the rule are due on the 28th and he will present suggested comments for the board. He told commissioners the lynx designation is likely to affect higher‑elevation areas and may have limited impact on the county’s ponderosa‑zone forestry work, but staff will evaluate potential conflicts with watershed and drinking‑water projects.
Floodplain administration updates included issuance of a permit for habitat improvement on the West Fork promoted by Trout Unlimited and a compliance case south of Mancos where a building inside the AE flood zone lacked required permits; the owner has since disconnected utilities and plans to move the building.
Dietrich also reported on noxious weed reimbursement reporting due at month end and that an anticipated NRCS reimbursement will likely arrive in April or later.
Why it matters: The WRAP grant and Passat Mesa Verde work aim to reduce post‑fire flood risk and prepare shovel‑ready projects for funding. Prioritizing limited resources is key to protecting water and transportation infrastructure.
Dietrich said he will continue outreach with neighboring Dolores County commissioners and bring updates after the February meeting with CDOT.
