Uinta County approves trail agreement with Ashley Creek Properties LLC that shifts liability to the county
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Summary
County approved a letter of agreement with Ashley Creek Properties LLC to build a walking trail that clips a leased Trust Lands parcel; county will indemnify Ashley Creek for trail injuries and agreed not to use the trail to oppose the lessee’s development specifically for a Via Ferrata feature, though other development objections remain possible.
Matt Kizier, community development staff, presented a letter of agreement between Uinta County and Ashley Creek Properties LLC to allow a walking trail that intersects part of the lessee’s Trust Lands parcel east of Ashley Gorge.
Kizier said the agreement contains two principal provisions: the county will hold Ashley Creek harmless and indemnify the lessee for injuries that occur on the county trail, and the county will not use the existence or operation of the trail as grounds to oppose the lessee’s future development of the leased resource. County counsel clarified the second provision: the county will not oppose specifically because of the Via Ferrata, but it retains the authority to oppose development for other reasons such as water quality.
"I made it very clear and they understood that we could oppose for other reasons," the county attorney said, noting the limited scope of the non‑opposition clause. Kizier confirmed Ashley Creek has reviewed and signed the agreement.
Commissioners asked procedural questions and then moved to approve the letter of agreement as presented; the motion carried by recorded 'Aye' responses.
Next steps: staff will finalize the agreement and proceed with the trail project planning in coordination with Trust Lands Administration and the lessee.