AGENDA Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Transcription

1 GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Grand County Council Chambers 125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah AGENDA Tuesday, March 31, :00 p.m. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Workshop on Public Lands Initiative Preliminary Action Items - Discussion and Consideration of: A. Unresolved Matters: Recommending a Name for the Recreation Area Designation, Postponed from March 16, 2015 Council Administrative Workshop (Chairwoman Tubbs) Recommending as a Management Objective a Local Advisory Committee and a Local Manager for the National Conservation Area (Chairwoman Tubbs) Recommending an Advisory Committee to Address Roads in the Public Lands Initiative (Chairwoman Tubbs) Recommending Federal Reserved Water Rights as a Management Objective for the Wild & Scenic River Designation, Postponed from March 16, 2015 Council Administrative Workshop (Chairwoman Tubbs) Recommending a Designation for the Labyrinth Canyon Area that has been Recommended as No Surface Occupancy (NSO) (Council Member Hawks) Recommendation(s) on Any Remaining Unresolved Issues (Council Member Hawks) Action Items - Discussion and Consideration of: B. Approving Preliminary Recommendations as the Formal Recommendations for Designations and Management Objectives to Submit to Congressman Bishop for the Proposed Public Lands Initiative (Chairwoman Tubbs) Closed Session(s) if necessary Adjourn NOTICE OF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with special needs requests wishing to attend County Council meetings are encouraged to contact the County two (2) business days in advance of these events. Specific accommodations necessary to allow participation of disabled persons will be provided to the maximum extent possible. T.D.D. (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) calls can be answered at: (435) Individuals with speech and/or hearing impairments may also call the Relay Utah by dialing 711. Spanish Relay Utah: 1 (888) It is hereby the policy of Grand County that elected and appointed representatives, staff and members of Grand County Council may participate in meetings through electronic means. Any form of telecommunication may be used, as long as it allows for real time interaction in the way of discussions, questions and answers, and voting. At the Grand County Council meetings/hearings any citizen, property owner, or public official may be heard on any agenda subject. The number of persons heard and the time allowed for each individual may be limited at the sole discretion of the Chair. On matters set for public hearings there is a threeminute time limit per person to allow maximum public participation. Upon being recognized by the Chair, please advance to the microphone, state your full name and address, whom you represent, and the subject matter. No person shall interrupt legislative proceedings. 3/27/15 Page 1 of 2

2 Requests for inclusion on an agenda and supporting documentation must be received by 5:00 PM on the Wednesday prior to a regular Council Meeting and forty-eight (48) hours prior to any Special Council Meeting. Information relative to these meetings/hearings may be obtained at the Grand County Council s Office, 125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah; (435) A Council agenda packet is available at the local Library, 257 East Center St., Moab, Utah, (435) at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. 3/27/15 Page 2 of 2

3 TITLE: FISCAL IMPACT: None AGENDA SUMMARY GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 31, 2015 Agenda Items: A & B Approving Preliminary Recommendations as the Formal Recommendations for Designations and Management Objectives to Submit to Congressman Bishop for the Proposed Public Lands Initiative PRESENTER(S): Chairwoman Tubbs Prepared By: Ruth Dillon Council Administrator (435) rdillon@grandcountyutah.net FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Attorney Review: N/A RECOMMENDATION: I move to approve the preliminary recommendations from the prior County Council Workshops [of February 23 rd, March 2 nd, March 9 th, and March 16 th ], and including tonight s straw votes as the formal recommendations for designations and management objectives to submit to Congressman Bishop for the proposed Public Lands Initiative, and authorize the Chair to sign all associated documents. BACKGROUND: During tonight s workshop, the following unresolved matters are in need of preliminary recommendation ( straw vote ) prior to tonight s formal vote of recommendations for designations and management objectives to forward to Congressman Bishop: Recommending a name for the Recreation Area designation (see March 16 th straw votes, item #3 for suggestions, which references items #4-9). Recommending as a management objective a local advisory committee and a local manager for the National Conservation Area designation (see March 16 th straw votes, #6 for details) Recommending federal reserved water rights as a management objective for the Wild & Scenic River designation (see March 16 th straw votes, #10 postponed) Recommending an advisory committee to address roads in the Public Lands Initiative (see March 2 nd straw votes, #1) Recommending a Designation for the Labyrinth Canyon Area that has been recommended as No Surface Occupancy (NSO) (see March 16 th straw votes, #14 for details) Any remaining recommendations ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Preliminary recommendations ( straw votes ) from prior Council Workshops: February 23 rd March 2 nd March 9 th March 16 th

4 Council Workshop on Public Lands: Bookcliffs Area North of I-70 Preliminary Straw Votes for Submission to Congressman Bishop Wilderness designations (#1-3): 1. North side of the mouth of Tusher Canyon Do not designate as wilderness (agreed without a vote per se) 2. Tusher Area Keep the in-holdings along the road as wilderness (agreed without a vote per se) Keep the roads cherry stemmed (agreed without a vote per se) 3. Horse Mesa Do not designate as wilderness (2 in favor, 5 against to designate as wilderness) 4. Thompson West Keep as wilderness as in Alternative 3 (agreed without a vote per se) 5. Thompson East Keep as wilderness as in Alternative 3 (agreed without a vote per se) 6. Danish Wash Incorporate the inventoried wilderness characteristics areas as wilderness down to the border of the motorcycle trail (4 in favor, 2 against, 1 abstain) 7. Cottonwood and Diamond Canyons Area Incorporate the three inventoried characteristic areas as wilderness, using the roads as boundaries (agreed without a vote per se) 8. No named area Keep the wilderness as in Alternative 3 (agreed without a vote per se) 9. Survey Point Keep the wilderness as in Alternative 3 (agreed without a vote per se) 10. Mexico Point & Hide Out Recommend as wilderness (4 in favor, 3 against) 11. Transportation Corridor (mile-wide) Do not identify a transportation corridor (3 in favor, 4 against to identify a transportation corridor) Council s Office 125 E. Center St. Moab, UT (435)

5 12. Wild & Scenic River Follow the 2008 BLM Resource Management Plan (RMP) designations for the Colorado, Dolores, and Green Rivers (6 in favor, 1 abstain) 13. Keep all Bookcliffs roads cherry stemmed as identified on the map (leave as is) (6 in favor, 1 abstain) Remainder of Bookcliffs roads will be closed, meaning withdraw RS-2477 claims (agreed without a vote per se) Council s Office 125 E. Center St. Moab, UT (435)

6 Council Workshop on Public Lands: Watershed and East Arches Area Preliminary Straw Votes for Submission to Congressman Bishop 1. Dolores Area from Westwater to Beaver Creek Designate as wilderness (agreed without a vote per se) Leave B roads and Jeep Safari routes open (agreed without a vote per se) All other existing roads and trails shown on the transportation system will be subject to additional transportation analysis by a multi-disciplinary citizen s advisory committee to be established by the County Council (agreed without a vote per se) 2. Lower Porcupine Area Leave as wilderness, with bringing west boundary down to Porcupine Rim Trail (7 in favor, 0 against) Keep Jeep Safari routes as they are (agreed without a vote per se) Utilize the Travel Plan (agreed without a vote per se) Do not designate wilderness at Sand Flats Recreation Area(agreed without a vote per se) 3. Fisher Towers Area (swath of land as described below) National Conservation Area (NCA) designation (4 in favor, 2 against, 1 absent versus a National Recreation Area designation) (1 had to leave) Boundary beginning at the bottom: cut across the private property on the east rim of Moab Valley eastward to the Colorado state border; pick up the watershed region in the Forest Service and south to the San Juan County boundary; incorporate the wilderness polygons from Grand Canyon Trust (which would go to conservation rather than to wilderness); and cut out private property out of the polygon; encapsulate the Three Rivers Withdrawal boundary as recommended by the Big Flat Working Group. (4 in favor, 2 against, 1 absent) Leave roads and trails open (agreed without a vote per se) 4. East Arches Expand NCA boundary (of Fisher Towers Area described above) north to Lost Springs Canyon (5 in favor, 1 against, 1 absent) No leasing (agreed without a vote per se) Keep roads open (agreed without a vote per se) 5. Salt Wash Expansion Add the area between Salt Valley Road to the northernmost line of Arches boundary as the park expansion (6 in favor, 1 against) (the absent one returned) Add the 3 triangular proposed areas as park expansion (5 in favor, 2 against)

7 Council Workshop on Public Lands: Greater Big Flat Area and the Labyrinth Canyon Region Preliminary Straw Votes for Submission to Congressman Bishop 1. Behind the Rocks WSA Designate as wilderness (5 in favor, 1 abstain, 1 absent without declaring general vote) Leave the road open at Hidden Valley where the slickrock ends (4 in favor, 1 against, 1 abstain, 1 absent ) Close the bike trail (agreed without a vote per se) 2. Ten Mile Canyon Close the road down Ten Mile Canyon (4 in favor, 2 against, 1 absent) Expand the NSO to areas proposed for wilderness (include Mineral Canyon, Hell Roaring Canyon, Spring Canyon, and Ten Mile Canyon) (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) 3. Mineral Withdrawal Keep the mineral withdrawal as identified by the Big Flat Working Group (agreed without a vote per se) 4. OHV NRA Take the upper Ten Mile section out of the OHV NSO polygon (4 in favor, 2 against, 1 absent)

8 Council Workshop on Public Lands: Unresolved Areas Preliminary Straw Votes for Submission to Congressman Bishop 1. Utah Rims OHV Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) Expansion As originally proposed by Ride with Respect (5 in favor, 2 against) 2. National Conservation Area (NCA) Management Objectives (5 in favor, 2 against) Watershed protection Elimination of large point sources of pollution Best management of vegetation and soil fertility No road closures Allow filming Allow hunting No leasing/mineral withdrawal Viewshed at Delicate Arch Continued grazing Continued fire mitigation activities Allow consideration of new roads & trails Keep current SRMAs Wood gathering permits remain 3. National Recreation Area (NRA) Management Objectives Designate as Recreation Area as opposed to National Recreation Area (7 in favor, 0 against to remove the word National ) Recreation Area Management Objectives, as follows (#4-9): 4. White Wash/Dee Pass Management Objectives (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) (1 had to leave) Purpose: o OHV recreation o Mineral development Allow new motorized and non-motorized trails Allow all other types of recreation Follow RMP Travel Management Plan (baseline); allow adjustments per BLM/County consultation process for additions or deletions of roads White Wash area open for cross country travel per BLM RMP 5. Monitor/Merrimac Management Objectives (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) Purpose: o Recreation: Motorized, non-motorized, climbing o Viewshed Follow RMP Travel Management Plan (baseline); allow adjustments per BLM/County consultation process for additions or deletions of roads Allow new motorized and non-motorized trails Provide protection for rare plants Allow existing county borrow pits Trade two northern SITLA parcels out

9 Honor valid existing lease rights No future mineral leasing 6. Gemini Bridges South Management Objectives (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) Purpose: o Recreation: Motorized and non-motorized o Energy development o Allow new non-motorized routes o Follow RMP Travel Management Plan (baseline); allow adjustments per BLM/County consultation process for additions or deletions of roads o Honor valid existing lease rights o No lease retirement, future leasing allowed with NSO o Create a management area Advisory Committee, committee to be appointed by the County Council: Purpose to provide coordination with federal, state and county management of area 1. Representative from the oil lessees/operators 2. Representative from the motorized recreation 3. Representative from the non-motorized recreation 4. Representative from SITLA 5. Representative from the County Council 6. Representative from BLM 7. Add: Representative from conservation community (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) 7. Amasa Back/Goldbar Management Objectives (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) Purpose o Recreation: Motorized and non-motorized o Viewshed Allow new non-motorized routes Follow RMP Travel Management Plan (baseline); allow adjustments per BLM/County consultation process for additions or deletions of roads Consider biological resources in recreation management No new leasing or claims Lease and claim retirement Trade out State lands 8. Bar M/Klondike (Arches West) Management Objectives (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) Purpose: o Recreation Mountain biking and climbing o Visual protection for Arches National Park No leasing or mineral development Trade out SITLA parcels Follow RMP Travel Management Plan (baseline); allow adjustments per BLM/County consultation process for additions or deletions of roads

10 Sovereign trail system remains open for OHV use Allow new non-motorized trails 9. Mineral Canyon Management Objectives (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) Purpose o Recreation: non-motorized focus o Viewshed o Boating access No leasing or mineral development Lease and claim retirement area Follow RMP Travel Management Plan (baseline); allow adjustments per BLM/County consultation process for additions or deletions of roads Allow new non-motorized trails Trade out SITLA lands Keep airstrip open Keep county borrow areas open Other: 10. Wild & Scenic River Management Objectives Federal reserved water rights determination (tie: 2 in favor to 2 against to 2 abstained, 1 absent) 11. Antiquities Act Language Exclude language regarding the Antiquities Act (5 in favor to 1 against, 1 absent) 12. Sand Flats Recreation Area Make no request to grant BLM land to Grand County (6 in favor, 0 against, 1 absent - to follow the SFRA Stewardship Committee s recommendation to make no request) 13. Rights of Ways & Roads in Wilderness Request rights of ways for roads and trails for maintenance (agreed without a vote per se) 14. Labyrinth Canyon Area need designation? (not determined) Seasonal closure of Hey Joe Canyon Road along the river corridor only (November 1 st through Easter); allow access to the river year-round (4 in favor to 2 against, 1 absent) NSO to mean: oil & gas, hard rock mining, potash, any kind of extractive industry would not be eligible for exemption or waiver (6* in favor, 0 against, 1 absent) *3 audible yes s on recording, presumed 3 additional head nods; no audible no s on recording) 15. SITLA Exchange Area Boundaries as revised (4 in favor, 2 against, 1 absent of a large boundary that deletes some area)

11 Public Hearing comments received March 17 th March 25 th at 5:00pm are available for reading here w/2951