Forest Service and Garfield County spar over road maintenance, Pine Lake Road and MOU process

Forest Service officials joined Garfield County commissioners on Feb. 9 to review road lists and a proposed memorandum of understanding that would formalize county work on forest roads and trails.

Forest Service staff reported they have placed Pine Lake Road and Stump Springs on their radar and are planning surveys for sensitive plant species before widening or other work. The district said some work is weather-dependent and that federal regulations require environmental checks before certain maintenance activities. Ben Newburn, the acting regional forester, and other agency staff discussed coordination while the county pressed for quicker action and asked the Forest Service to add specific roads and trails to the MOU so maintenance can proceed without repeated delays.

Commissioners described prior instances where the county performed emergency repairs on forest roads and questioned why agreed maintenance is now subject to additional federal studies. The Forest Service district ranger said the agency is committed to coordination but must follow standard federal procedures to avoid litigation or environmental violations; he also confirmed plans for a mid‑March site visit by a senior Department of Agriculture official (Michael Boren) to review potential projects.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical next steps: the county will put forward a prioritized list of roads and trailheads they want included in the MOU, and the Forest Service will review the list, prepare the necessary surveys or documentation, and return with a written agreement so county crews can proceed. Both sides emphasized a shared goal of keeping trails and trailheads accessible for recreation while complying with federal rules.

Next steps: county staff will compile prioritized roads and trails to present at the upcoming roads meeting; the Undersecretary staff visit is expected in mid‑March and will include site inspections.