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Gunnison County approves letter supporting Trout Unlimited’s Forest Queen and Willow Creek restoration projects
Summary
The Board authorized a letter of support for Trout Unlimited to seek Colorado River District funding for tailings removal at Forest Queen Mill Site and floodplain restoration at Willow Creek; staff said EPA lists Forest Queen as non‑urgent under CERCLA and the Town of Crested Butte supports the Forest Queen work.
Trout Unlimited Project Manager Jesse Bryan asked the Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners for a letter of support May 19 to help secure Colorado River District supplemental funding for two restoration efforts: overburden and tailings removal at the Forest Queen Mill Site and floodplain restoration work at Willow Creek.
Bryan told the Board that the Environmental Protection Agency has classified the Forest Queen tailings as "non‑urgent" under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), but the Town of Crested Butte’s Wildfire Ready Action Plan flagged the Independence Basin — where Forest Queen is located — as high risk for post‑wildfire debris flow. Bryan estimated Forest Queen work could begin next summer and said the Willow Creek restoration is likely in 2028 or 2029. He also said he has been coordinating with Public Works Director Shea Earley, who supports the project.
Commissioner Jonathan Houck asked about town involvement; Bryan confirmed coordination with Crested Butte Public Works Director Shea Earley. Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels said the projects align with the Board’s strategic plan priority to protect water quality. The Board approved the letter of support and authorized signatures by the full Board.
The minutes do not specify the dollar amounts sought from the Colorado River District in the letter of support; project timelines were given as target windows and the EPA CERCLA classification was noted in the discussion.
