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County says state appropriation and federal meetings aim to revive local sawmills and speed NEPA work
Summary
Commissioners described a newly secured state appropriation for NEPA and timber-sale administrators and a high-level meeting with the deputy secretary overseeing the Forest Service; officials said the money and federal engagement aim to move timber from the Dixie and support local sawmills.
Garfield County commissioners said a state appropriation of $900,000 has been secured to support NEPA studies and timber-sale administration aimed at moving timber off the Dixie and supporting local sawmills.
“We finally... have an appropriation for 900,000, to be distributed by the state forestry director, Jamie Barnes,” the Chair (S3) said. “These funds will be used for NEPA and timber sale administrators. Basically, the bottom line of the John Wayne version is it's to get the sawmills timber. Period.”
County leaders described a multi-agency follow-up process: they convened a meeting that included the regional acting director, the state fire director, local sawmill owners and the Forest Service supervisor to align on removing timber from the Dixie and to discuss how grants and NEPA resources could be used to get lumber to local mills.
The Chair said Michael Boren, a deputy secretary with responsibility for Forest Service matters, visited the county to see conditions and was reportedly supportive of re-opening trails and roads where feasible to restore access. Commissioners said the commitment from the visiting official and the state appropriation together increase the county’s ability to pursue timber sales and sawmill relief.
County staff noted potential funding sources beyond the state appropriation, including USDA grants that could support equipment and consultants; commissioners agreed to follow up with the USDA and schedule NEPA-related consultant work where needed. A timber follow-up meeting was scheduled for May 19 at 2:00 p.m. to review priority areas.
What’s next: County staff and commissioners plan to track NEPA timelines, pursue consultant support where necessary, and continue coordination with the Forest Service and state forestry leadership. No formal vote or policy change was recorded at this meeting.
