San Juan County Commission talks Wells and Trails

Members of the San Juan County Commission spoke about the future of the Armory in Blanding, received an update on well projects in the county, and had discussions related to public lands and trails at their latest meeting.
Members of the county commission held a discussion around the upcoming closure of the Utah National Guard Armory outside of Blanding at their February 17 meeting.
Commission Chair Lori Maughan reported on a conversation with the Governor’s office saying that officials on the Wasatch Front failed to realize that closing the facility would mean the nearest armories would be in Bluffdale or Cedar City.
Members of the commission agreed to seek support from the Navajo Nation and draft a letter to the Governor in hopes of delaying the closure.
Members of the county commission also received a report on the San Juan County Conservation District. Resource Coordinator Ryan Jones gave a report on efforts in the area including a Watershed restoration and habitat improvement project.
The $1.1 million project resulted in installation of 21 water wells on private, Bureau of Land Management, and State Trust Lands (TLA). The project benefits both wildlife and livestock.
The bulk of the funding, $630,000, came from the Environmental Protection Agencies 319 program related to the settlement following the Gold King mine spill. The project also included $420,000 from the grazing improvement program and $120,000 from the 14 different producers involved in the project. The report also spoke about the district's effort to offer education especially related to soil health and watershed management, the district also offers low-cost equipment rentals.
Members of the commission also approved a letter supporting a transfer of land, sometimes known as the Five Kiva Ruins, to the Utah State Parks system.
The 160-acres, on the west edge of Blanding next to the ruins along Westwater Canyon, has been managed by the San Juan Foundation, also referenced as the Nation of the Four Corners.
With the group ready to move on from management, Edge of the Cedars State Park is looking into taking over management. In a Blanding City staff report earlier in the month it was shared that the state park plans to keep the trails and area open, although noting that in the future the state could ask a fee to access the property.
Members of the county commission mirrored Blanding City council’s decision to sign a letter of support for the transfer.
Members of the commission also approved a letter of support for San Juan Public Entry and Access Rights or SPEAR. The nonprofit group is applying for a grant to install kiosks, signage and a staging area as part of the White Canyon Trail system. While there were minor concerns about coordinating grant proposals between the county and the group, the commissioners agreed to ratify the support once final details were smoothed out.
Members of the county commission also received a report on the Monticello America 250 efforts. In celebration of the bicentennial of the United States communities across the country are providing year-long programming. At the commission meeting Daryl and Sally Jack represented a group of seven volunteers on the city committee. As part of the celebration book clubs in Monticello gathered earlier in February to discuss David McCullough’s historical book 1776. In addition the group is hosting a traveling exhibit “The Pen is Mightier: Writing a Revolution” at the Monticello branch of the county library. Other activities include a hike along the Old Spanish Trail as part of the Walk America 250 effort, as well as the nationally coordinated potluck dinner, with plans to divide the city into four quadrants and have a neighborhood potluck dinner on Sunday July 5, as part of the nationwide vision of a shared community event on that day. The committee is also planning a community musical presentation on July 2 and 3 with performances including Native American Hoop Dance, as well as patriotic music throughout the decades.
The performance is planned for July 2 and 3 in order to avoid conflicts with Blanding Independence Day celebration noting that the focus is on a years-long celebration.
Members of the commission also approved a $7,000 library enhancement grant and a memorandum of understanding between the county health department and Root for Kids, a Washington County nonprofit that provides early childhood intervention programs.