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Ilium Flume Trail remains in NEPA process; county cites $700,000 estimate and possible May completion
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Summary
Telluride-area trail planners and county staff said Ilium Flume Trail remains under US Forest Service NEPA review with a 45-day public comment window expected; the trail and bridge estimate provided by the Telluride Mountain Club is about $700,000.
County staff updated the Historical Commission Nov. 18 that the Ilium Flume Trail is continuing through the US Forest Service NEPA process and remains an active planning priority.
"NEPA is still moving forward," Speaker 2 said, noting the Forest Service will issue a public comment period (about 45 days) and that staff expect the NEPA process to wrap up by next May, subject to federal scheduling. The Telluride Mountain Club led the trail proposal and has provided cost estimates: Speaker 2 said the Ilium Flume Trail and associated bridges are estimated at about $700,000.
Staff acknowledged there has been opposition specific to the perimeter trail and some other proposals; Speaker 2 said opposition to the Ilium Flume Trail itself has been limited and that the county and mountain club are working to address environmental concerns raised by residents and their retained law firm. The county attorney and staff have met with counsel for opposing residents to discuss environmental issues and the NEPA packet, Speaker 2 said.
Commissioners were told some trail alignments and project phasing were pared from an initial eight-trail proposal to seven. Construction timing, final design and funding remain subject to NEPA clearance and US Forest Service approvals. No formal county funding decision was recorded at the meeting.
