Commissioners agree to site visit as agencies consider watering plan for Terry Tunnel reclamation

San Juan County commissioners and agency staff agreed to a site visit and to further explore options for supporting revegetation at the Terry Tunnel reclamation site, officials said.

Field staff reviewed maps of ownership and the revegetation work done last year and raised concern that, if left dry, seeded areas might fail as they had at nearby Sunnyside decades earlier. "We really don't want to be where Sunnyside was a number of decades ago in failed reclamation," a presenter said, urging the county to consider limited watering to help establish vegetation.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical sources (a nearby pond at the tunnel portal and Eureka Creek), equipment options (2‑inch trash pumps and sprinkler tripods), and logistics for moving pumps and fuel. Staff warned that long‑term irrigation has tradeoffs — irrigation can require ongoing maintenance and can produce plants that become dependent on watering — but several participants said a short period of watering could improve reclamation success.

The board and staff agreed to a field review the following morning (planned departure at 9:30 a.m.) to assess access, pump placement and the feasibility of shared watering arrangements between the county, BLM and project partners. Commissioners asked staff to return with a practical plan and cost estimate if watering is recommended.

Why it matters: Successful revegetation reduces dust and erosion risks and preserves the historic and environmental values of the site. Officials emphasized balancing archaeological and historic‑site sensitivity with public‑safety and reclamation goals.

Next steps: County and agency personnel will meet on site to finalize an approach and report back to the board with recommended next steps and any shared‑cost arrangements.