Commission signs support for Tesoro exploration and asks delegation to review frozen NRCS funds

The Duchesne County Commission agreed April 22 to sign a support letter for the Tesoro Exploration Project and to send correspondence to the county's congressional delegation seeking release of federal NRCS funds affecting local water-efficiency projects.

Speaker 7 presented a letter regarding a company called Tesoro seeking access to an old mine opening in an inventoried roadless area on the Ashley National Forest for mineral exploration using modern techniques. Speaker 7 said the draft letter "encourag[es] the forest service to move forward with an environmental assessment and finding no significant impact" so exploration can proceed and recommended the commission sign the letter.

On a separate but related funding matter, Speaker 7 outlined that NRCS grants for a series of water conveyance and efficiency projects awarded in January 2019 and August 2022 total nearly $40,000,000 "including 31.7 of federal funds and 8.3 in matching funds," and reported some of those funds have been frozen in Washington, D.C. Staff recommended sending a letter to a congressional aide to seek assistance; Speaker 7 said the commission's signature was needed and that the letter would be emailed to the delegation.

Commissioners moved to sign the Tesoro support letter (motion made by Speaker 2 and seconded) and directed staff to send the NRCS funding letter to the delegation. No environmental assessment or federal decision was made at the meeting; the county's action is a local expression of support and a request for federal assistance.