County Commission hears Forest Plan update

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission approved a keynote speaker for the annual business summit, received a report on the updated forest plan, and swore in the new county attorney at their latest meeting.
Members of the San Juan County Commission received a report from the Manti-La Sal National Forest on the Land Management Plan Revision and EIS Update for the forest at their August 20 meeting.
Commissioners heard from Moab and Monticello District Ranger Michael Engelhart about the forest plan revision. Engelhart, originally from rural North Dakota, shared his thanks to the county and its residents, as he says he’s come to understand the concerns in San Juan County.
“I strive every day to understand that better. I strive to understand your tax base, and how the economics of San Juan County are affecting you and your residents, tribal and non-tribal residents and the challenges that are faced looking out into the future. That’s what a forest plan really does. It looks out for another generation. For the next 20-30 years this is how we’re going to manage the national forest system lands within San Juan County. These are generational decisions so they’re of great importance.”
As part of the presentation, acting Forest Planner Josey Muse shared background on public involvement in the plan, also noting the plan for the Forest does not include the active plan being developed for the Bears Ears National Monument.
Muse shared the pre-assessment began in 2016 with 900 comments given from the initial notice of assessment. 3,000 unique comments were given during the draft plan scoping beginning in 2021 and 2,200 comments were given following the release of the draft plan and draft environmental impact statement made available in August 2023.
Those comments were summarized into 200 categories.
Major comment themes identified included local economy, watershed health and protection, over-snow vehicle/winter recreation opportunities, heritage and cultural protections, grazing, timber harvests, wildlife habitat and roads and public access.
Cooperators included 10 nations, tribes and pueblos, 10 counties, four cities, the state of Utah and Colorado and the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office.
As the process winds down the final reviews will include follow-up meetings with cooperating agencies as well as continued work with other ongoing planning efforts including the Bears Ears National Monument Plan and the National Old Growth Amendment anticipated to be available in early 2025.
A final plan is anticipated to be available in 2025 with a 60-day notice of opportunity to object period.
As part of the discussion, Commissioner Bruce Adams asked if there were any considerations for timber harvesting within the forest.
Engelhart explained that small-scale harvesting occurs all the time on forest service land but in regards to commercial timber harvest logging.
“Here in SJC both on the Moab Ranger district and the eastern side of the Monticello ranger district we’ve been looking hard at areas that we would not only allow timber harvest but we would not only allow timber harvest but we would actually manage them for what’s known as timber suitability.”
Englehart explained polygons on the landscape could identify primary uses for production of timber. Englehart says some of those stands could include stands by the Buckeye Reservoir on the southeast portion of the Moab district as well as areas south on the eastern side of the Monticello ranger district. Those timber suitability areas do not include areas within the Bears Ears National Monument.
Outside of commercial timber harvesting Englehart also explained there are current opportunities for small loggers in the area, one key one being the partnership with Wood for Life.
That group harvests as part of fuel treatment for the forest with those fuels then being given to homes to provide needed heating of homes.
Monticello Deputy District Ranger Orlando Cortez explained the Aneth Chapter received their first delivery of fuel over the weekend through a partnership with Monticello resident Luke Lessner’s company Mountain Feller.
Englehart had praise for the partnership and Cortez’s organizing work
“That's how these things can work, it’s a local logger getting commercial products while also harvesting wood that ends up in the Aneth Chapter while it's protecting the community on the Blue Mountain Range.”
As part of conversations Adams also asked about the coordination of the county master plan with the planning efforts by the forest service particularly as it relates to the county’s wishes to keep roads open.
Muse says the plan doesn’t close any roads but it does set management areas that would guide decisions for motorized travel under a motorized travel plan process.
“At this point we’re not closing any motorized roads or trails and a lot of our analysis would be areas that would be managed more restrictive. We've been careful that those areas do not include existing roads or trails.”
Commissioner Sylvia Stubbs also asked about additional needs in county visitor services as popularity of visitation to federal lands in San Juan County continue to grow.
Englehart shared that while getting additional funds for those projects is above his pay grade he did share that the forest service has been very pleased with their partnership with the county.
Among the highlights are the forest service work to pay the San Juan County road department for maintenance of its roads which Englehart says has been a great benefit for the forest. Other partnerships include youth corps, utilizing the wood for life program through Utah Navajo Health System and other programs.
Cortez also highlighted the forest service work in local recruitment starting with programs with local youth, including with an internship program through Utah State University Blanding and active work with Indigenous colleges in the four-corners area.
Adams also had praise for the forest service staff noting that Englehart had been great to work with over the last four years.
At the meeting members of the commission also approved a speaker for the 3rd annual San Juan County Business Basecamp Summit.
County Economic Development Director Elaine Gizler shared that author and co-founder of ‘Save Your Town’ Deb Brown will be the keynote speaker.
Brown’s book and organization works to revitalize small towns across the US. In addition to delivering a key-note speech Brown will also be meeting with city and county leaders to provide training and information.
Brown’s $6,000 speaking and travel fee will be covered through Rural Grant Funding as well as sponsorship of the summit by local businesses.
Stubbs shared that she spoke with a Blanding business owner who became connected with county economic promotion after the first summit. The business owner shared his business has seen success and growth thanks to that promotion by the county.
Gizler said that’s exactly the purpose of the county economic development office. “How we can help retain our local businesses, help them expand. And help support them with what they may need to help their business grow.”
Members of the commission approved the request, the summit is scheduled for December 5 at the USU Blanding Arts and Events Center.
Commissioners also unanimously approved an upgrade of camera equipment used by the Sheriff’s department.
The department asked for approval for four new body worn cameras and three vehicle camera systems. Sheriff Deputy Scott Sandefur explained the county would be changing camera providers after repeated issues. However the department is optimistic that the Axon provided cameras will be more consistent for officers, noting that neighboring Blanding City and Moab use the same systems.
The change in equipment falls within the department's budget and keeps the county in compliance with state code regarding body cameras.
Also at the meeting, Mitch Maughan was sworn in as the San Juan County Attorney by Judge Lyon Hazelton. Maughan had been working as the deputy attorney and was selected by the San Juan County Commission to replace outgoing attorney Brittney Ivins after she accepted a job as the guardian ad litem for San Juan and Grand Counties.
Maughan will finish his term at the end of 2026, with voters weighing in for county attorney next in November 2026.