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Dolores County reviews wildfire mitigation plans, proposes designated camping spots at Navajo Lake and readies $1M for Cottonwood Road work
Summary
Officials heard Forest Service-affiliated Nick Lester report on dozer-line repairs at Stoner and Taylor Mesa, proposed designated dispersed camping at Navajo Lake to curb campsite degradation, and announced $1 million in funding for Cottonwood Road improvements slated for next summer.
Nick Lester, introduced by the board as Mr. Lester, told the Dolores County commissioners on Nov. 17 that closures related to the Stoner Mesa fire have been lifted and that dozer-line repairs on Taylor Mesa are complete. “All closures related to that fire have been lifted,” he said, and added that some additional work on Stoner Mesa will likely continue next year.
Lester said the county is planning a procurement to install dozer lines ahead of prescribed burns along fences adjacent to private land and canyon edges; he told the board he expects a decision on that work in early December and invited commissioner feedback. “We’re looking to sign a decision to that probably early December,” he said.
On public lands use, Lester reported campsite proliferation and degradation around Navajo Lake in the Lizard Head Wilderness and proposed soliciting winter public feedback to create designated dispersed camping sites (first-come, first-served) to specify where camping is allowed and where it is not. “We’re looking at this winter trying to solicit some public feedback to go to designated dispersed camping spots,” he said, adding the county might implement changes next summer.
A recreation-minded participant supported the idea, saying use at Navajo Lake varies weekend to weekend and designated sites could help protect watershed values during busy summer periods. “Last time I was up there, it was extremely busy,” the speaker said.
On county roads, Lester told commissioners the county received $1,000,000 to invest in road improvements on Cottonwood Road, likely next summer. The improvements could include bridge work and widening of turnouts and may require short closures. “We did receive a million dollars to put towards road improvements on that,” Lester said.
Commissioners discussed closing Cottonwood Road this winter to reduce search-and-rescue requests and agreed staff should coordinate with emergency managers, road-and-bridge personnel and emergency services before deciding. Lester said the county has an existing decision-making process and will pursue coordination with stakeholders.
The board scheduled after-action reviews with local fire departments — including a planned meeting with the Westfork Volunteer Fire Department — to review incident response and communication and to solicit community feedback on what worked and what could improve.
Next steps: staff will solicit public input on proposed camping designations this winter, finalize procurement for prescribed-fire dozer lines as appropriate in early December, and plan road-improvement work for next summer once project details are set.
