Castle Valley amends and approves letter opposing some parts of county federal‑lands access grant project

The Castle Valley Town Council on Dec. 18 amended and approved a draft letter to the county concerning a Federal Lands Access Program grant application. Harry Holland drafted the original letter; council members debated edits that would make the town’s reservations explicit and narrower in scope.

Multiple council members said the letter should make clear the town "does not support this project as written" while still acknowledging specific improvements the town would accept, such as culvert and bridge repairs. Council members proposed deleting or tightening language describing pavement widening, crest‑height reduction and shoulder widening, which they said would unnecessarily increase project scope and duration. One council member urged placing a statement of non‑support "right up front" so the county understands the town’s position.

After editing language in the meeting and confirming remaining acceptable elements (for example, culvert repair and selected maintenance), a council member moved to approve the letter as amended and another council member seconded the motion; the council voted to approve the amended letter and agreed to finalize it on town letterhead.

Council members said the edited letter strikes a balance between opposing aspects of the proposed project they viewed as disruptive and supporting targeted infrastructure fixes the town believes are needed. The town will send the amended letter to the county as part of the grant‑application process.