Garfield County, Forest Service Clash Over Trail Maintenance, Culvert Plan
Summary
Commissioners pressed the Forest Service to allow immediate repairs on a long-closed equestrian trail and to install a culvert to reopen Stump Springs; Forest Service officials said staffing, NEPA and survey requirements mean the county and agency must coordinate a formal proposal and prioritized trail list.
Commissioners at the Garfield County Commission meeting on Jan. 26 pressed Forest Service staff to permit immediate trail repairs and a culvert installation at Stump Springs to reopen a trail that has been closed for years.
“Put in a **** culvert in a ravine out in the middle of nowhere. We can, I can do that right now and I'm not an engineer,” Chair (Speaker 1) said, arguing the county could install a pipe and repair the trail quickly to support upcoming events such as mule days. Speaker 1 repeatedly urged an expedited approach, saying, “We can have that thing open in 3 days,” if given authorization.
Forest Service representatives responding at the meeting stressed procedural requirements and limited capacity. Speaker 6, representing the Forest Service, said crews are downstaffed and the agency needs engineering proposals and clearances before authorizing mechanical work: “We are down to 1 person on our entire road trip for the entire forest,” Speaker 6 said, and noted the agency has equipment but lacks certified operators to run it.
The disagreement centered on whether the work constitutes routine trail maintenance or a project requiring environmental review. County leaders characterized the proposed culvert as standard maintenance to restore a long-used route, while Forest Service staff said certain actions — such as placing mechanical equipment or altering drainages — may trigger NEPA or other reviews and surveys, and that the agency must prioritize limited staff time across recreation, fire and other obligations.
Speakers on both sides agreed on one practical next step: the county will provide a prioritized list of trails it wants cleared and a formal proposal for the culvert. Forest Service staff committed to walk the site with county engineers and to convene a coordination meeting with regional foresters and local mills within the next month or two. Speaker 6 said the agency would also attempt to align its limited crews and contractor capacity to county needs where feasible.
Commissioners emphasized the local economic and recreational importance of reopening trails. The Forest Service noted additional constraints including required raptor and hydrology surveys for some areas and the need to ensure any mechanical work complies with federal road and trail standards.
The commission directed staff to prepare the trail-priority list and a basic engineering proposal. A follow-up meeting with forest leadership was planned for February to try to resolve permitting, staffing and funding for the work.
