Engineer says Cedar Springs Road project is on track for permitting; joint DSL application expected in about six weeks

Andy Lindsey of Anderson Perry updated Gilliam County Court on July 15 about the Cedar Springs Road design and permitting schedule. He said the total consultant contract, including a February amendment for additional environmental work, is $414,000 and that roughly $215,000 had been spent through the June 15 invoice — about half the contract to date. "The total contract amount is $414,000," Lindsey said, and described the two main contract components: roughly $150,000 for roadway design (about 70% billed) and $234,000 for environmental and permitting work (about $100,000 spent to date).

Lindsey said legal descriptions for required property rights should be ready in a couple of weeks and that staff expect to submit the joint permit application to the Department of State Lands (DSL) shortly thereafter. He said the cultural resources report from a subconsultant was due to arrive that week and the geotechnical report was in final review, items that will support the permit application. "We anticipate being able to submit that permit application in about 6 weeks," Lindsey said, noting DSL review timelines vary but are commonly on the order of months.

Commissioners asked about a parcel owned by Union Pacific that affects the mitigation site; staff said the county has submitted a property sale application to Union Pacific and awaited contact from the railroad’s representative. Lindsey noted the mitigation parcel in question is owned by Waste Management and that further coordination with that company will be necessary to confirm acquisition and plan details.

No formal decisions were made; staff will return with legal descriptions and final reports needed to submit the joint permit application.