Commission to participate in dam project

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Bronson Smart from the Natural Resources Conservation Service approached the commission about a cooperative agreement between Emery County and NRCS for rehabilitation of Millsite Dam. Smart said Millsite Dam is aging and improvements must be made so the dam will meet criteria. This will increase capacity and help with flood control. They will improve the spillway and increase stability in the event of an earthquake. “Ferron Canal Company does an excellent job in maintaining Millsite,” said Smart.
Smart said they are approaching the county to be the fiscal agent for the project. The funds would be run through the county similar to the debris basin projects just completed in Huntington Canyon. Ferron Canal Company will participate with in-kind matches. The estimate for the cost of the project is $25 million. The county will not provide any money for the project. The county would hire the contractor for the project. NRCS will handle the bid package and all that goes into that.
Smart said there is a rush to get the agreement in place because their budget year ends soon. The money for the project is available now and construction will begin next July. They have been trying to get the funding and begin this project for 10 years now. It’s a great opportunity to get the funds for the project and get it completed. The NRCS must sign the agreement now so they can obligate the funds to the project. There will be impacts to irrigators, state parks and golfers as the project progresses.
County Attorney Mike Olsen said he is consulting with other lawyers to get advice on the contract and the county’s obligations within the contract. The project agreement was approved pending the final approval of the contract from Attorney Olsen.
Ralph Okerlund from the Six County Coalition came to the Emery County Commission meeting to give an update on the activities of the coalition. He said the formation of the coalition has lead to a regional approach for economic development and infrastructure development. The coalition formed six months ago and they hired a consultant to look for opportunities where the coalition could make a difference.
In two weeks at the next coalition meeting the report will be ready and discussed during that meeting. He invited the commission to come and hear the results of the report. Possible projects could include: pipeline corridors, oil and gas development and others. Okerlund said the more they get out and talk to people the more ideas come forth for opportunities. The coalition works together instead of each county doing their own thing. In order to prioritize projects the consultant talked to each of the counties involved in the coalition which include: Carbon, Uintah, Emery, Duchesne, San Juan. Projects the consultant looked at include: corridors, transmission lines, rail study along with UDOT; potential roadway with a corridor that could accommodate a pipeline as well. A roadway could also be a boost for tourist travel.
Commissioner Paul Cowley wondered when a project might begin. Sen. Okerlund said after their meeting they could get ready to submit an application to the CIB for funding. As everything begins to function he sees maybe three or four projects in the next couple of years, but an exact time frame isn’t known at this time.
Commissioner Keith Brady said one of the projects he’s been meeting on is trying to get natural gas into Green River, Lawrence and Emery. It’s a priority for Emery County to bring gas into these communities to keep costs down and to encourage economic development in these towns.
Sen. Okerlund agreed before you can have economic growth you need infrastructure. “These are things the coalition can help with. We are optimistic for rural Utah and the opportunities for the future 10-15 years down the road.”
The board approved the appointment of Kristi Maxwell to the Museum of the San Rafael Board of Directors. The Emery County Library has applied for the 2015 Regular LSTA Sub-Grant for new copy machines.
The Pest Control Service Agreement with Target Pest Control for controlling bats on the exterior of the Emery County Courthouse was approved. Bats are still looking for ways to get in the building.
Bret Mills explained the annual dues to the Eastern Utah Television Association. The agreement is 10 years old now and each year it’s been $2,000 which went into the fund to help with replacement parts as the system aged. The dues will be going to $5,000 for future years. Mills explained this equipment keeps the free TV on for Emery County residents. There are now 27 free channels and it is growing with more subchannels to be added. The money circulates through each of the counties involved in the association and it is Emery County’s turn for improvements. Mills said this has been a cheap way to keep the equipment maintained by partnering with the other counties. The commission will budget $5,000 for this item in the future.
The commission approved the contract with Royce Electronics, Inc. for tower space rental in Ferron.
The board approved a donation to the public land rally in Sevier County. It will be held on Aug. 11. This will be to bring Eastern Senators to the area to discuss rural land use issues and to educate them about forest service and BLM land issues.
Commissioner Cowley reported the public lands council went on a field trip to Ferron Mountain.
Commissioner Brady said Green River hosted the rocket competition where 36 colleges and seven different countries were represented with 500 students. It was well attended and a boost for the town and county. “It’s impressive and it’s growing,” said Commissioner Brady. Commissioner Migliori said there will be work on the Swinging Bridge. The lands council is working on finalizing a letter to the Salt Lake Tribune on the perception of public lands issues. He also met with Attorney General Sean Reyes and discussed Emery County issues with him. The BEAR outreach program will be visiting Emery County businesses.