Commissioners authorize Sheepherder reclamation bid, approve Pesha engineering amendment and hear road‑department update including bridge opening

Commissioners authorized staff to publish an invite‑to‑bid for the Sheepherder gravel pit reclamation, approved an amendment to an engineering services agreement with Robert Pesha & Associates, and received an extended monthly report from the road department.

Road director Dave Crunty described the Sheepherder scope (purchase, haul and place six inches of topsoil across disturbed areas, erosion control and hydroseed), said contractors will be asked to provide 30 test holes to verify depth, and said the project would be advertised on two Sundays with target construction this fall. The department plans to submit Phase‑1 reclamation documentation to DEQ by the county's December 31 deadline (practical target Oct. 31 to allow construction and seeding windows).

Crunty reviewed the recent reopening and community celebration for the Bridge Street bridge (opened to the public June 20), noted sight‑distance issues in the approach where drivers and visitors have been observed taking photos, and said he will monitor traffic rather than immediately installing single‑lane signage. He emphasized improved emergency‑vehicle access as a major benefit.

On materials, Crunty said the county received about 6,200 yards of millings from a Highway 35 project and has split stockpiles for local use; he raised concerns about night‑work milling on a separate Highway 2 project because night milling could complicate hauling into county pits due to neighbor and operating‑hour constraints. The board approved the Pesha amendment (to prepare plans/specs, provide construction oversight and assist with DEQ closeout) by motion.

No formal contract dollar amounts were read into the record; commissioners asked staff to follow up on pit‑opening status with the Forest Service and to provide updates on night‑work milling and haul schedules.