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Commissioners endorse Quinney forest winter travel collaborative
Summary
County commissioners voted to endorse a multi‑stakeholder Quinney (Cooney) Forest winter travel collaborative that seeks legislative designation for certain snowmobile areas and coordinated travel management.
Presenters asked Lincoln County to endorse a collaborative agreement setting winter travel management for parts of the Quinney/Cooney National Forest and to send a formal letter of support.
Scott Matheis introduced the group and said stakeholders reached a unanimous collaborative agreement after extensive meetings; he told the commissioners the collaborative included about 30 stakeholders and that the U.S. Forest Service planners had agreed to use the group’s maps as a preferred alternative in their NEPA process. Joe, representing the Glen Lake Irrigation District, described proposed mechanical thinning and watershed treatments intended to improve water retention and reduce evaporation.
"We got a map now," Scott said, asking for a county endorsement. Tim Dhy and other stakeholder representatives said advocacy letters came from motorized and conservation groups and requested a formal county endorsement letter to be sent to Doug Ferrell. The board moved, seconded and approved the endorsement and directed staff to prepare a written county letter to be sent to the collaborative contacts.
Commissioners praised the collaborative process as a way to reduce litigation and to find negotiated management outcomes among motorized, quiet‑recreation and conservation interests.
