SAN JUAN COUNTY, COLORADO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING AGENDA March 24, 2021 DUE TO THE COVID 19 EMERGENCY SAN JUAN COUNTY WILL CONDUCT ALL OF ITS PUBLIC MEETING VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO CONNECT TO THIS PUBLIC MEETING IS LISTED BELOW CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M. BOCC Meeting Minutes for March 10, 2021 APPOINTMENT 6:35 P.M. Brady Owens, BLM Field Manager for the Gunnison Field Office 7:00 P.M. Beth Kremer, San Juan Development Economic Development and Diversification Coordinator 7:20 P.M. Michelle Furi, MSI - GOCO Grant 7:40 P.M. Louis Girodo, County Road Supervisor Update CORRESPONDENCE Eagle County OLD BUSINESS GOCO Resilient Communities Grant Award NEW BUSINESS CDOT Meet and Greet Commissioner and Staff Reports Next Regular Meeting - April 14, 2021 8:30 A.M. Join Zoom Meeting https: lIzoom. US/192136473203 Meeting ID: 921 3647 3203 One tap mobile +16699006833,, 92136473203# US (San Jose) +12532158782,92136473203# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 3782 US (Tacoma) +1 7799 US (Houston) +1 646 3/6 9923 US (New York) +1 301 3592 US (Germantown) +1 1 799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 647 03 SANJUAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 AT 8:30 A.M. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Scott Fetchenhier. Present were Commissioners Ernie Kuhlman and Austin Lashley, and Administrator William Tookey. Payment of Bills: Commissioner Kuhlman moved to authorize payment of the warrants as presented. Commissioner Lashley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimous. Minutes: Commissioner Lashley moved to approve the minutes of February 24, 2021 with the additional sentence to the fourth paragraph stating that The Commissioners agreed to challenge the determination that San Juan County has no standing and to continue their objection to the BLM Travel Management Plan. Commissioner Kuhlman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimous. Public Health Director Becky Joyce, Emergency Manager Jim Donovan and Public Information Officer DeAnne Gallegos were present to provide the Commissioners with a COVID-19 update. Social Services Director Martha Johnson was present to provide the Commissioners with a monthly update and to provide additional information concerning Social Services programs and funding. Sandra Wanger was present to ask for authorization from the County to install historic information signs at Grassy Hill and Bear Town. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to allow the installation of the signs provided that she worked with Road Supervisor Louis Girodo on the location oft the signs. Received a request from Ty Churchwell ofTrout Unlimited for letters of support for Good Samaritan Legislation for mining related environmental cleanup. It was the consensus ofthe Commissioners to provide letters of support for Good Samaritan Legislation. A public hearing was held to receive comment concerning the application from Blake Campbell to construct an accessory dwelling unit at 66 Mill Creek Drive. Upon the conclusion of the Public Hearing Commissioner Kuhlman moved to approve the application with the conditions as recommended by the Planning Director and Planning Commission. Commissioner Lashley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimous. Administrator Tookey provided the Commissioners with an update on sales tax. Julie and Todd Sams were present to request the Commissioners amend the Cole Ranch Subdivision Plat to allow the construction of a single-family residential unit to be moved from the currently approved building envelope on the east side ofCR2 2 to the west side of CR 2. The Sams are concerned that the environmental remediation on the adjacent Forest Queen property by the BLM could present future environmental concerns on their property. Commissioner Kuhlman moved to table the matter until the Sams provide the Commissioners with a study completed by a qualified environmental consultant to determine the adverse environmental impact on the currently approved and proposed locations. Commissioner Lashley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimous. Planning Director Lisa Adair provided the Commissioners with her staff report. Fire Chief Gilbert Archuleta was present to provide the Commissioners with an update on the construction of the mezzanine in the fire station. Due to the increase in building materials he is requesting an additional $25,000 from the County to complete the project. The Fire Authority will donate 300 hours ofl labor to the project. Commissioner Lashley moved to approve $25,000 ofthe undesignated Emergency Service Sales Tax Fund be used for the completion of the mezzanine. Commissioner Kuhlman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimous. Administrator Tookey informed the Commissioners that Julie Singer had resigned from the Tourism Board. It was the consensus ofthe Commissioners to advertise to fill the vacancy. Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 P.M. The Commissioners met at 1:30 P.M. to receive board training from DOLA representative Patrick Rondinelli. Scott Fetchenhier, Chairman Ladonna L. Jaramillo, County Clerk From: Chris Yuan-Farrell <cyuanfarrell@goco. org> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 2:59 PM To: Willy Tookey acmin@sanuancooraco us> Cc: Matt Brady <mbrady@goco.org>; Brent Schoradt bschoradti@simaore Subject: Resilient Communities Grant Award Hi Willy, Congratulations! This morning GOCO awarded funding to 21 more projects through the Resilient Communities Program. San Juan County's proposal for the Public Lands Stewardship and Visitor Education project was among those awarded funding. Matt Brady, cc'ed on this email, will serve as your GOCO point of contact moving forward. He'll guide you through the development of the grant agreement, reporting, payments, and all the other grant administration functions. He'll reach out shortly to set up a time for a post-award meeting. We're excited to partner with you on this important work and look forward to getting started. Best, Chris Chris Yuan-Farrell Manager of Programs Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) 1900 Grant Street, Suite 725 Denver, CO 80203 303.226.4511 GOCO.org Connect with us Twitter Facebook I Instagram I Blog SANJUAN COUNTY COLORADO 1557 GREENE STREET P.0. BOX 466 SILVERTON, COLORADO 81433 PHONE/FAX 970-387-5766 sanjuancounty@frontier.net Resilient Communities Project Summary Information Applicant Organization: San Juan County Applicant Name: William Tookey Partner Organizations: San Juan Mountains Association, Mountain Studies Institute Project Title: San Juan County Public Lands Stewardship and Visitor Education Project Amount Requested: $260,200 Total Project Cost: $352,700 Checklist: Proposal Narrative Budget Timeline Letters of Support: San Juan National Forest, Columbine Ranger District Bureau of Land Management, Gunnison Field Office Silverton, Colorado Chamber of Commerce Great Outdoors Coiorado: Resilient Communities Program Proposed Project Overview Among the many impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, public lands throughout the San Juan Mountains experienced an overwhelming increase in visitation and backcountry use in 2020. Growing numbers of visitors to San Juan County are impacting fragile watersheds, rreplaceable high-alpine tundra, and forests already suffering from drought. San Juan County's 2020 tourist season culminated with a human-caused wildfire at Ice Lakes Basin, one of the region's most beloved places, momentarily threatening the Town of Silverton and requiring an emergency evacuation of 23 hikers. 1 San Juan County has borne the brunt of this recent surge in public lands visitors, posing unprecedented challenges to land managers and the local community. The San Juan County Public Lands tewardship and Visitor Education Project (San Juan Stewardship Project) endeavors to protect and conserve local public lands and watersheds that are facing unprecedented pressure during the pandemic, by launching a multi-tiered, data-driven approach to engaging visitors to this unique and beautiful landscape. This San Juan Stewardship Project is a unique collaboration between conservationists, scientists, law enforcement, and land managers. Our team consists of San Juan County (applicant), the San Juan County Sheriff, San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), and Mountain Studies Institute (MSI); each entity brings complementary expertise to the effort, providing a comprehensive approach to stewarding the San Juan Mountains. We respectfully request $260,200 from Great Outdoors Colorado to advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection through a boots-on-the-ground approach to meet the San Juan Mountain community's urgent needs and priorities. Ice Lakes Basin, the most iconic and popular high-alpine basin in the San Juan Mountains, experienced unprecedented crowds in 2020. In past years, up to 200 hikers per day would make the strenuous hike to the turquoise-blue waters and 13,000- ft peaks of Ice Lakes Basin. In 2020, the Ice Lakes Trail averaged an unprecedented 500-650 hikers per weekend day. Over Labor Day Weekend, trailhead monitors observed 1,947 hikers and 215 overnight backpackers. Unfortunately, these growing crowds have damaged the trail and contaminated the watershed with human waste, trash, and toilet paper. This trend has been noted across numerous popular destinations in the San Juan Mountains. The San Juan Stewardship Project seeks to provide a community-based stewardship and education presence at Ice Lakes and other iconic public lands in San Juan County. The goal of the San Juan Stewardship Project is to help San Juan County accommodate recent and anticipated (for 2021) pandemic-driven growth in outdoor recreation while reducing impacts to local resources and preventing human-caused wildfires. We will engage the public at local recreation hotspots to educate them on the importance of Outdoor stewardship, Leave No Trace' ethics, and wildfire safety. We will use water quality data to document watershed impacts from human waste and encourage visitors to properly dispose of their waste. Our on-the-ground stewardship team will help repair the damage caused by unmanaged recreation and enhance the visitor experience, thereby promoting community vitality and ensuring the sustainability of the local outdoor recreation economy. We will also engage youth through our citizen science program and nternship opportunities to help foster a new generation of conservationists in San Juan County. The San Juan Stewardship Project will deploy the following strategies to address increased visitation to San Juan County public lands and mitigate the associated impacts: 1 23 Hikers Trapped on San. Juans Trail After Wildfire Breaks Out, Evacuated! by Helicopter, Denver Post, October. 20, 2020: https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/10/20/ie fresiverton-sonjuons hikers- evocuoted/247317 - Application submitted by San Juan County, Silverton, Colorado Great Outdoors Colorado: Resilient Communities Program 1 Alpine Ranger Program This collaboration between the San Juan County Sheriff In 2020, the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway and federal land managers provides a much-needed experienced a 23% increase in visitors as education and public safety presence on busy public lands more than 385,000 motorists explored the high-alpine motorized trail. This increase in throughout San Juan County. The "Alpine Rangers" are visitors coincided with reduced capacity by code enforcement officers focused on educating the land managers and rangers. The result, as public on applicable safety and natural resource laws. The documented by the Durango Herald, is that San Juan Stewardship Project seeks to fund three Alpine "more, people are illegally driving off-road, damaging fragile alpine tundra. 3 2 Rangers to patrol the Alpine Loop and South Mineral Creek Road near Ice Lakes Basin, encouraging public lands visitors to respect the fragile alpine tundra environment, recreate safely, and minimize resource impacts. 2 Task Outcomes Outputs Alpine Ranger Program Reduce resource damage from motorists Provide a public safety and education and other public lands visitors presence at outdoor recreation Identify future stewardship needs hotspots throughout San Juan County Decrease response time to emergency Engage more than 50,000 public lands situations, such as wildfire visitors from May- Oct 2. Public Lands Stewardship and Visitor Education We will use multiple avenues of reaching the public to encourage visitors to serve as stewards of the San Juan Mountain region while recreating here. A paid crew of "Forest Ambassadors" will provide a boots-on- the-ground presence at recreation hotspots to encourage "Leave No Trace" practices and lead small-scale stewardship projects with local youth interns and community volunteers. Our goal is to provide a broad- based education and stewardship presence at trailheads, along busy trails, campgrounds and at busy gathering points, such as scenic overlooks. We have strategically chosen recreation hotspots to maximize interactions with the public and provide a stewardship and public education presence where iti is needed most. To reinforce the messages carried by Alpine Rangers and Forest Ambassadors in the field, we will create outreach materials and social media educational videos targeted at visitors to encourage "Leave No Trace" ethics and reduce impacts to the high-alpine tundra and local watersheds. We will engage the Silverton Film Office to create an educational video highlighting the unique natural resources of the region. The Ice Fire of October 2020 demonstrated the risk of numan-caused wildfire posed by increased public lands visitation. We expect fire restrictions to be enforced during the summer of 2021. By creating a proactive wildfire safety education plan and establishing an exhibit at the Molas Pass rest stop area, we will increase awareness of fire restrictions and reduce the risk of human-caused ignitions in the area. SJMA will establish a new Public Lands Discovery Center in the busy rest stop parking lot at Molas Pass. This rest The human-caused Ice Firei in 2020 burned 596 acres at Ice stop is known for its iconic views of the San Juan Lakes Basin. Mountains, proximity to the Weminuche Wilderness via 2, Son Juan Mountains Take Beating this Summer from Off-Roading, Durongo Herald, August 19,2020: htps/wvongoherolkd.collcom/artides358l1 Application submitted by San Juan County, Silverton, Colorado Great Outdoors Colorado: Resilient Communities Program the Colorado Trail, and its popularity for motorists visiting San Juan County from the south. The Public Lands Discovery Center will provide visitor information and education to public lands visitors that may not otherwise be reached. SJMA will partner with an outdoor recreation business to procure a "tiny house" to serve as a mobile visitor nformation station and help house the Wildfire Safety Exhibit. SJMA's previous efforts staffing a "tiny house" stationed at Ice Lakes Trailhead resulted in a measured decrease in toilet paper, human waste, and fire rings along this popular trail. By introducing a similar presence at the Molas Pass parking area, we can engage a broader cross-section of public lands visitors along Highway 550. Task Outcomes Outputs Public Lands Increase awareness of outdoor Engage more than 100,000 visitors Stewardship and Visitor stewardship from May-Oct Education Reduce resource impacts by visitors Repair resource damage Subtasks Forest Ambassadors Increase awareness of "Leave No Engage over 50,000 visitors program Trace" (LNT) ethics At least 500 wag bags distributed Reduce visitor impacts to the high- Downed trees cleared from trails alpine tundra / watersheds Trails (miles) maintained by Forest Increase awareness of the unique Ambassadors and volunteers natural resources of the region lllegal campsites naturalized Engage youth and volunteers to Trash removed from public lands complete stewardship projects Identify future stewardship projects Outreach materials and Increase awareness of "LNT" ethics Over 1000 educational video views social media educational Increase awareness of the unique via social media and other outlets videos natural resources of the region 500 pamphlets distributed Develop a Wildfire Prevent human-caused wildfires Engage at least 10,000 visitors Safety Education Plan / (traveling by car) Wildfire Safety Exhibit at Molas Pass Establish a Public Lands Increase awareness of "LNT" ethics Engage at least 50,000 visitors Discovery Center at Reduçe visitor impacts to the high- (traveling by car) Molas Pass alpine tundra / watersheds Increase awareness of the unique natural resources of the region 3. Citizen-Science Water Quality Monitoring Informed visitors will generally act more responsibly. By monitoring key watersheds, such as Mineral Creek and Needle Creek, for recreation impacts and then feeding that information back into the visitor education campaign, we will utilize the power of scientific data to demonstrate the impacts of improper human waste disposal in the backcountry. We will engage youth interns and local citizen-scientist volunteers to sample water at key chosen locations. These samples will be analyzed by San Juan Basin Public Health. Data will be put into easy- to-understand infographics that the Forest Ambassadors will Silverton School students learn demonstrate during interaction with public lands visitors. about water quality. Application submitted by San Juan County, Silverton, Colorado Great Outdoors Colorado: Resilient Communities Program Task Outcomes Outputs Citizen Science Water Increase visitor understanding of Recruit and train 10-20 citizen Quality Monitoring recreation impacts on watersheds scientists Citizen scientists will become well- Engage students from local schools informed advocates in their and Fort Lewis College to serve at communities, amplifying the impacts citizen scientists of the training Analyzing 50 water samples Youth volunteers will learn about Generating 2-4 periodic updates on scientific data collection and career water quality to use for public options in science outreach Youth volunteers gain resume- Final report summarizing all data to building experience be used in future outreach and to Data may lead to increased plans inform land managers of recreation and regulations impacts Community Need San Juan County is comprised of 400 square miles, more than 86% of which are federal public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. These spectacular public lands attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, who come to enjoy the iconic high-alpine vistas, climb 14,000-foot peaks, and admire the unmatched wildflower blooms. Popular destinations include the Alpine Loop, a Colorado Scenic Byway that attracts over 300,000 off-highway vehicle motorists each year; Ice Lakes Basin, the most popular hiking trail in the San Juan Mountains; and the Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest wilderness and headwaters of the San Juan and Rio Grande river systems. San Juan County has an acute need to accommodate outdoor recreation tourism in a sustainable way that protects the spectacular public lands of the area. Explosive growth in outdoor tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to growing crowds at San Juan County's most popular outdoor destinations, causing widespread impacts to watersheds and public lands and negatively impacting the visitor experience. These impacts are predicted to continue and increase during 2021 as social distancing restrictions relax and pre- pandemic tourism attractions, such as the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, resume operations. The San Juan Stewardship Project is needed to reduce impacts from visitors and repair the damage caused by increased visitation as we recognize that intact ecosystems and well- maintained public lands are critical to our community vitality. Building Resilience - Outcomes and Impacts Immediate Impacts San Juan County's economy is highly dependent on outdoor recreation during the summer months. This proposal will increase community resiliency by empowering local efforts to accommodate increased public lands visitors while reducing impacts to natural resources. The Forest Ambassadors and Alpine Rangers funded by this proposal will enhance the visitor experience by educating the public on how to responsibly visit their public lands. By recruiting local volunteers to engage in stewardship projects and water quality monitoring, this proposal will help foster a local conservation ethic whereby the San Juan County community actively engages in public lands stewardship. The combined efforts of this proposal will reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire, improve trail access, reduce human waste and trash in our watersheds. This is a concerted community response to the dire need to address growing numbers of visitors to our federal public lands. San Juan County is working with conservationists, scientists, and law enforcement to better steward our public lands and secure a more resilient outdoor recreation economy. a Application submitted by San Juan County, Silverton, Colorado Great Outdoors Colorado: Resilient Communities Program one Term Outcomes By providing an expanded presence on the landscape, this San Juan Stewardship Project will identify future stewardship projects that will further enhance community resiliency, such as trail restoration and re- routing. We will document water quality impacts, as our volunteers can sample water before, during, and after peak periods of visitation, such as holiday weekends. This real-time data will help increase the public's understanding of how visitors affect the watershed, thereby encouraging improved backcountry visitor habits. Preserving the San Juan Mountain region's natural resources contributes to community vitality as tourism is a major economic factor in residents' livelihoods. The water quality data generated from this San Juan Stewardship Project will be valuable to influence decision-making and helping the federal land managers to develop better regulations, such as a proposed permitting system for Ice Lakes Basin. Hikers set out to explore Ice Lakes Basin. Financial Need and Project Urgency COVID-19 has affected our region significantly, and it is just one of a series of disasters that the San Juan County community has endured in the last five years. Since 2015, Silverton has been faced with the Gold King Mine Spill, being designated an EPA National Priorities List superfund site, 2018 Winter Drought disaster area, 416 Fire which closed the San Juan National Forest and stopped tourism to our community through extended closures of our highway and Durango-Siverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 2019 avalanche cycle, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the funding in this proposal, the Alpine Ranger program will be limited to one code enforcement officer to conduct outreach to over 300,000 motorized visitors to the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. The Alpine Ranger Program has suffered in recent years from budget cuts and the funding in the proposal is needed to better accommodate pandemic-related increases in motorized use along the Alpine Loop. SJMA has received funding from the U.S. Forest Service to provide a Forest Ambassador education and stewardship presence at lower elevation recreation destinations outside of San Juan County. This proposal will provide much-needed funding to expand the Forest Ambassador program to the most iconic destinations of the San Juan Mountains that are the driving force of the San Juan County outdoor recreation economy. Because of the unprecedented surge in visitors to San Juan County, it is urgent that the local San Juan County community step up with an increased "boots on the ground" presence at our most popular outdoor destinations. Because of the ongoing drought conditions and the scare of the Ice Fire last fall, San Juan County urgently needs the expanded wildfire education program included in this proposal. We expect widespread fire restrictions for the Summer of 2021 and the Forest Ambassadors and Alpine Rangers are needed to educate visitors on fire safety to help reduce wildfire risk and prevent fire closures from once again stifling the local tourist economy. Outdoor recreation is essential to our local economy and the San Juan Stewardship Project is our community's best chance at stemming the tide of recreation related resource damage that has spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Juan Stewardship Project will promote our community's vitality by enhancing our tourism industry and mproving conditions on-the-ground at our most popular outdoor destinations. We respectfully ask GOCO to stand with us as we stand up for public lands and lead the way towards a more sustainable outdoor recreation economy. - - Application submitted by San Juan County, Silverton, Colorado PROJECT BUDGET Applicant Sourte off Funds Dates Secured GOCOF Funds Funds Partner Funds Totalfunding CASH BXOG $75010007 $26070000 a A a 55000 0 525000 an asluan Mounta ns AssoC alion 5713100 $2934000 Mesntan des 515 50n0 * 545009 00 N-KINO han t 55 wnal 5530000 Sanivn MBRIALA Assecis ato 5158800 X $1688002 MINt an ludirs laittuie $10B BED $1083003 TOTALS SOURCE OFI FUNDS $2602 200,00 $30,30000 S62 20000 $3527 700.00 CASH Use ofo CashF Funds wol Unils Cost Perl Unit GOCOF Funds Applicant Funds Partner Cumulative Funds TotalF Funding PublicL Lands Stewardshipa andv Vistor Eduration SIMA haan Tostinstias 530000 o0 530,000 X SIMA Forest Amba ador Crew 10GO $105600 00 $10550000 $29 8400 00 $135,4000 SMA Saspiest ford crew andoutreach funiforns, $300000 51000 X t SIMA tae Stipni $1250000 52:5000 X SIMA Tents tables hairs! fart trailhead atrei each 550000 00 $5000 - SIMA Develspa and prin int outreachr matenals 52.00000 5500000 $70000 X SIMA Molas 2as:Pubictandst Discorery Center $50000 00 5500000 55000x MSI Propct Masagement/Grant Aiministration 100 $110000 00 $3000.00 52000.0 5110000 MSI forest ambassadori intern 100 $11000 00 SILDOO0D 5110000 X MSI Foreu amssisajor ntern netoryns 100 $220000 511 1000D 5L.10000 52200 MSI Molasp Passy Widfires Saltey ishibit 100 52500 00 5200000 550000 2: 50000 MSI Widlie hu ation Plan 200 S1 000 00 $L00000 $100000 570000 MSI Mileaze for alitasks 200000 so5a 51 12000 S11200 San Juan County VIstiES Brspw Vides 1000 SI 0000 00 $500000 550000 o0 $1300000 Citizen Sciv Water Quality Monitori g MSI Devekoeu vrocotoksa andmaos samplinel location 100 53900 20 $K000 $390000 MSI Conduct Guzen Scienlst lrainng ans manage 200 $4000 00 $40000C $4,0000 antrer MPETNerA MSI Wain Auey inlein 100 $3000 00 9a00 Slooou MSI Summaruec data. createi interpr pret material 100 $4000 00 $400000 $4000 00 finslr report MIn uAN BVANSKE MANI lab analrsce casis 5000 $36 00 518000C 51500 MSI Ndminister! ab anahsis(IOs) S1800 $18000 sood Npine Banger? Program fan Juand Countyis IShenif Deoi) Patrolt the Alpine Loop- wslore educa aton 400 515000 00 $45.00000 5150000 00 $6000000 lan juanc County Sherilf Deptl Vehile Mantenance. Repairs and Fuel 100 $5.000 00 $50000c $500004 Category ende/enncer provider so0 00 Calegpn vendorfsernce provder soo USEO OFF FUNDS- CASHS SUBTOTAL $260.200.00 $25.000.00 $34,4 440 00L $319,5 S40.0 IN-KIND Use ofin-k KindF Funds of Units Costp Per Unit GOCOFueds Applicant Cumulative TotalF Funding Funds PartnerF Funds Pubiiantis Stewardiniga and Vistar Educatioa SIMAV Vehicles Transport 10 0000 00 $o 56 55600 a 55600 09 SMAV Volunteers Forest Ambassadors volvatiar PNranehIPKIShS 60000 $27 20 $16 3200 o0j $18 32006 San luan County Tourism Funsllabor) 525000 00 $25 5000 00 CheseiMaitenngo olV Waler Quality MSCGERTS Sesntisy Velasts Masiaring and! IeDELINE 40000 $27 z0 $10S 880 00 510880 0C Abpinn Ranger Program San luanCountys SherfiDest Vehicle Use 500000 $05 56 523 800 ox $2B BOO oc Catrgory adehewcateie 5000 USEC OFF FUNDS: IN-KINDS SUBTOTAL $5.3 30000 $27.7 7600 00 $33.0 060.00 Contingency. up to 10% (not required, aannot be GOCO funds) GOCOF Funds Applicant Funds Partner Cumulative Funds TotalF Funding Contingenry sood USEO OFF FUNDS- CONTINGENCYS SUBTOTAL sone sono sa.o0 TOTALP PROIECTO COST 57602 zo0.o0 510.5 100.00 5522 200.00 5352.700.00 Remember the Tetair RcjectCostrow must equal Ithel Toulsawraffanarow MATOHINGE REQUIREMENTS Reguired Actual Status Overati Match based n totalos) D0 26 Past DraMatch Sbssede ont total cesi $35270 00 $97,50000 Pass a E J S S - - S USDA United States Forest Columbine Ranger District P.0. Box 439 Department of Service 367 South Pearl Street Agriculture Bayfield, CO 81122 (970) 884-2512 File Code: 1500 Date: February 1, 2021 Dear GOCO Grant Committee: The San Juan National Forest, Columbine District is pleased to provide a letter of support for the funding application being submitted by San Juan County. This proposal will fund the addition of Forest Ambassador staff who will help protect the busiest public lands in the San Juan Mountains by promoting Leave No Trace principles to visitors, cleaning up popular trailheads, and managing the massive influx of visitors to this wildly popular area. This project would provide the means to hire ten staff who will patrol the Ice Lakes Trail, Highland Mary Lake Trail, Columbine Lake Trail, Molas Pass/Colorado Trail, and Pass Creek Trail. This project seeks to address recreational impacts by providing on-the-ground education to improve visitor safety, with the goal of reducing resource impacts to the delicate ecosystems and historic sites found in these areas. All of the towns that surround these natural resources are dependent on public land recreation and tourism. A major objective of the San Juan National Forest is to encourage sustainable use and tourism collaboration with gateway communities. This collaborative grant proposal will assist with the economic tourism objectives in these mountain communities by providing education and Doots-on-the-ground support to ensure that we protect these resources, and allow future generations to enjoy these incredible places. Thank you for considering San Juan County for this grant opportunity. Sincerely, aweA Sciia JAMES SIMINO District Ranger Ms Caring for the Land and Serving People Pnnted on Recycled Paper United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Gunnison Field Office 210 W. Spencer Ave. Ste. A Gunnison, Colorado 81230 In Reply Refer To: 8323 (CO-S06) FEB 0 1 2021 Dear Great Outdoors Colorado Grant Committee: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Gunnison Field Office is pleased to provide this letter of support for the funding application being submitted by San Juan County to fund the San Juan County Sheriff S participation in the Alpine Ranger Program on the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway and to fund an expanded public education program on BLM lands in San Juan County. The BLM has been meeting with the multi-county taskforce to collaborate on resolving human use impacts along high alpine 4x4 roadways and trailheads. The Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway consists of 4x4 county roads that traverse passes up to 12,800 feet. The high-elevation natural resources along the byway are being impacted by the amount ofv visitation. The BLM manages public lands along the 67-mile Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway. In 2020, the BLM conducted a traffic count on the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway and found that -385,000 people visited this area last year, a --23 percent increase from previous years. This grant seeks to address recreational impacts by providing on- the-ground education to improve visitor safety and to reduce resource impacts to the alpine tundra and historic sites. The communities that surround the Alpine Loop are mountain communities that depend on public land recreation and tourism. One ofBLM's objectives is to encourage sustainable travel and tourism collaboration with gateway communities. This collaborative grant proposal will assist with the economic tourism objectives in these mountain communities by providing education on the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway. Thank you for considering San Juan County for this grant opportunity. Sincerely, Ryan Kay Acting Field Manager INTERIOR REGION 7 . UPPER COLORADO BASIN COLORADO. NEW MEXICO, UTAH WYOMING January 29", 2021 Dear GOCO Grant Committee: The Silverton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide a letter of support for the funding application being submitted by San Juan County to the GOCO Resilient Communities program. This proposal will help sustain our local outdoor recreation economy by supporting visitor education and public lands stewardship at San Juan County's most iconic outdoor destinations. The Summer of 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic, San Juan County experienced an unprecedented surge in visitors to our local Forest Service and Bureau ofLand Management lands. These two federal agenices are the largest property owner in San Juan County an account for 87% of our land. The funds included in this proposal will help our local community manage the influx of visitors we have recently experienced by supporting additonal Alpine Rangers and Forest Ambassadors to ençourage Leave No Trace principles and help clean up popular trails and recreation destinations such as the Alpine Loop, Highland Marys, Colorado Trail and Ice Lakes Basin. This project seeks to address recreational impacts by providing on-the-ground education to improve visitor safety, with the goal of reducing resource impacts to the delicate ecosystems and historic sites found in these areas. San Juan County's economy relies on public lands recreation and tourism yet our community desires conservation and protection ofthese same lands. This collaborative grant proposal will promote community vitality by assisting with our economic tourism objectives that we do not have the local tinançial resources to do on our own. This grant collaborative has become necessary in order to be proactive in preserving a pure San Juan Mountain experience for our community and thc guests that come to visit our forest. Thank you for considering San Juan County for this grant opportunity. Sincerely, C DeAnne Gallegos Executive Director Silverton Chamber ofCommerce chambercasilvertoncolorado.com Silvertoncolorado.com Silverton Chamber ofCommerce 414 Greene St Silverton CO 81433 970 387-5654 3/22/2021 Grant to help with deluge of visitors to San Juan Mountains THE Durango HERALD Grant to help with deluge ofvisitors to San Juan Mountains More than $250,000 will be spent on education about best backcountry practices Byl Herald Staff Report durangoherald.co/ims/oading.ntmirotfiwetu- HROCHMIMOEV/2RlemPI29O2A.necOW29L2PyacipvYIE 0 02510byly2wAheCikawPs.Wxidmys Friday, March 19, 2021 : 5 PM - TT Toggle font size Select Language V Listen 00:00 04:00 4) San Juan County has been awarded more than $250,000 to help address the impacts of increasing outdoor recreation in its backcountry. Great Outdoors Colorado, which receives money from the state's lottery, granted San Juan County $260,0001 to advance outdoor recreation, stewardship and land protection" to meet "urgent needs and priorities" in the San Juan Mountains. "The recreation pressure in this area combined with the demonstrated impacts of unmanaged recreation make this a compelling request," GOCO said in a statement. "This proposal provides an intriguing balance of employment, public education, science and stewardship." The effort, called the San Juan Stewardship Project, is a partnership with Mountain Studies Institute, the Silverton Chamber of Commerce and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. htps/durangoherald.comlarides35828828gantHohelpwildelugedhwsionstorstosanjuar-mountains?um.campalgn-dalyheadinesuutm.content-g.- 1/3 3/22/2021 Grant to help with deluge of visitors to San Juan Mountains Visitation to the San Juan Mountains was alreadyi increasing in recent years, but the onset oft the COVID-19 pandemic pushed more people toward the outdoors, resulting in unprecedented numbers ofv visitors in 2020. At the popular Ice Lakes Trail, for instance, about 200 hikers a day used to make the trek to the turquoise-tinted lakes. In 2020, however, an average of5 500 to 650 people hit the trail on any given day. Over the busy Labor Day weekend, nearly 2,000 hikers and more than 200 overnight backpackers were: seen at Ice Lakes. Itall culminated this fall when a wildfire, believed to be human-caused, broke out off the trail to Ice Lake, threatening the town of Silverton and requiring the emergency evacuation of more than 20 hikers who were: in the area, "Unfortunately, these growing crowds have damaged the trail and contaminated the watershed with human waste, trash and toilet paper," MSI said in a statement. "This trend has been noted across numerous popular destinations in the San Juan Mountains." The San Juan Stewardship Project seeks to help on several fronts. Money will be directed to support the Alpine Ranger Program, which will provide a public safety and education presence at outdoor recreation hot spots throughout San Juan County. Money will be also be used to support several seasonal alpine rangers, as well as provide funding for vehicle maintenance and fuel. "Typically, alpine rangers patrol the Alpine Loop and other parts oft the backcountry during the high-traffic summer season, but the program has been reduced over the past few years due to funding limitations," MSI said. Also, a visitor outreach and education campaign will attempt to reach visitors and talk best practices in the backcountry. San Juan Mountains Association will continue to host an "education base camp" at the Ice Lakes trailhead, which has been seen as effective in years past. The effort hopes to expand to other popular destinations, such as Highland Mary Lakes and Molas Pass. "The Forest Ambassador program will target trailheads to talk with visitors about Leave No Trace principles," MSI said. A series ofy videos and outreach materials will be produced for online and in-person outreach." With the continuing high fire danger that's been seen in the past few summers, the Wildfire Safety Education Plan and Exhibit will try to educate outdoor visitors about fire regulations and' best practices. And, a citizen science water-quality monitoring program will launch to engage community members to learn more about the impacts of recreation on local watersheds. "They will be trained to take water samples that will then be analyzed for E. coli," MSI said. "The data collected will be put into outreach materials, which will then be used by (members of the project)." Public land agencies have said in the past few months they expect another busy summer season this year. tps/durangoherald.colarides.2882 2B-granto-help-with-delugedlvisionsto-san.juar-mountains7um.campalg-dalyheadinesunesutm.conlent-g.- 2/3 Board of County Commissioners 970-328-8605 970-328-8629() EeamnegounvIs www.caglecounty.us EAGLE COUNTY March 16, 2021 San Juan County 1557 Green St PO Box 466 Silverton, CO 81443 Dear San Juan County, Thank you to all the many people within your organization who assisted in the recovery efforts of our three lost community members after an avalanche took their lives. From your leadership team, Emergency Management, Sheriff's Office, Coroner, PIO and many more - we know your employees were out in the cold from dawn to dark in still very dangerous terrain for a number of days. We thank you for bringing this tragic saga to a conclusion and delivering a comforting measure of closure to the friends and families of the victims. San Juan County has some amazing men & women who stepped up for days on end to do the right thing for others in trouble. Words cannot express our gratitude. Sincerely, - g/mouy Vaflandh Matt Scherr Jeanne McQueeney Kathy Chandler-Henry Chair Commissioner Commissioner 500 Broadway, P.O. Box 850, Eagle, Colorado 81631 3/18/2021 Stress threatens Colorado search and rescue teams THE Durango HERALD Stress threatens Colorado search and rescue teams Weary rescuers hope lawmakers can find funding and support By. Jason Blevins wmmgpherascmlmulasdyMaswwRAMAOCIMIMOAIREmA.2A ansco.w2uhecipow 12Nzc W MOCH2FLAAAcmdrMB32cOAwIPiGApe The Colorado Sun Wednesday, March 17, 20214:41 PM Updated 12 hours 38 minutes ago ALPINE RESUUETUS TT Toggle font size Select Language V As 17 men and women bored into the cement-like snow, even using chainsaws to grind into the ice, an avalanche released behind them, burying their exit road. "That really showed us how reactive the snowpack was just riddled with uncertainty and you really just didn't know," said Leo Lloyd, a 36-year veteran ofl La Plata County Search and Rescue who joined his San Juan County colleagues on a grim mission last month to recover thel bodies of three men buried in an avalanche near Ophir Pass. It took two more days of digging to recover the: men. Six weeks earlier, and a few hundred yards away, the team had recovered the bodies oft two skiers killed in an avalanche. "Even ifyou've been doing this a long time, it's still difficult," Lloyd said. "You get good at putting that image in the back ofy your head, but all that never, goes away. We have some psychological support and we work to get help to our people. But sometimes, it's hard to admit when you need some help." htps/durangoherald.comlarides28896sres-theatenscolradosearchand-rescueleamsum.campagn-dalyleadinesaum.content-stress-t. 1/6 3/18/2021 Stress threatens Colorado search and rescue teams * The San Juan County Search and Rescue team that recovered the skiers included a county commissioner, a town councilman, business owners, local avalanche experts and other residents of Silverton, San Juan County SAR Rescuers in San Juan County have had a challenging winter. That's following an extraordinarily busy summer and fall. Most oft the state's 2,800 search and rescue volunteers know that weariness. Teams across Colorado were exceptionally busy last summer: as Colorado's hills crawled with campers, hikers, bikers and paddlers finding respite from the pandemic in the backcountry. When winter backcountry gear sales exploded in the: fall alongside resorts announcing capacity limits and restrictions at ski areas, high-country search and rescue teams braced themselves. The COVID restrictions and capacity caps at ski areas were "a perfect storm of! bad formula," said Kimmet Holland, a 40-year veteran of emergency services who directs Silverton's Emergency Medical Services crew, all of whom are certified in avalanche safety and high-alpine rescue skills. That storm worsened with a spectacularly sketchy snowpack that began shedding large avalanches with every new snowfall. "The worst snow conditions in Colorado in the last 10 years," Holland said. The largest worry heading into the 2020-21 season was about a flood of newcomers to avalanche terrain. A host of state agencies joined search and rescue teams to promote avalanche awareness and backcountry safety. But the 11 men killed in Colorado avalanches SO far this season have been older, most of them with years ofl backcountry experience. ttps:ldurangoherald.comlartices368696-stress-threatens-colorado-search-and-rescue-teams?utm campaign-dalyheadlinesaum.content-stress-t. 2/6 3/18/2021 Stress threatens Colorado search and rescue teams Laura McGladrey, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, interacts with colleagues during the Colorado Search and Rescue avalanche media event Thursday, March 11, 2021, on Vail Pass. Hugh Carey/Special to The Colorado Sun The 2020-21 season has been particularly deadly for backcountry travelers. Across the U.S, 33 have died in avalanches, with 26 skiers, snowmobilers and climbers killed in February alone, marking the darkest month for avalanche fatalities in more than a century. "And we still have a lot of winter left," said Jim Donovan, the emergency manager for San Juan County and director of Silverton Avalanche School. Donovan's San Juan County Search and Rescue team was ready for a busy winter. A few close calls in the area last season, including a complicated rescue ofa a snowboarder near' Telluride in March 2020, left the San Juan team on edge.. After the hectic summer: and thei recovery of five men - two beloved Durango locals and three influential men from Eagle they still are. "Thei impact to the team was definitely real," Donovan said. An avalanche of anguish Search and rescue team members can be the overlooked patients in a traumatic mission, said Laura McGladrey. She's with CU Anschutz Medical School's Stress Trauma Adversity Research and Treatment Center, working with cops, emergency service providers, search-and-rescue teams as well as guide services and ski patrols. Stress accumulation from exposure to traumatic missions can build up like a snowpack, McGladrey said. It starts gradually and following a big event, people can break in an avalanche of anguish. Search and rescue teams have all sorts of protocols and plans for physical injuries. But McGladrey tells rescuers the most likely injury they will suffer is psychological from the stress oft traumatic events. "And no one really prepares them for that kind of injury," she said. "From my standpoint this exposure-type injury of stress accumulation and the impact of watching people die and seeing grieving families starts to build up over time. htpsiIdurangoherald.comlarides358696sires-thveatens-coloradosearchandres.ueieams7um.campagnedalyheadinessum.content-stress-t. 3/6 3/18/2021 Stress threatens Colorado search and rescue teams "You already have the tatigue and exhaustion of a busy year," she said, "and then a big event comes up. It sets the stage for people to get overwhelmed." Rescuers often internalize the trauma oftheir volunteer work and think it's just them when they lose their zeal or fall into funk, McGladrey said. After more than 20 years in emergency medicine, she said the "worst stuff I've ever: seen" was as a volunteer for Chaffee County Search and Rescue in the 1990s. When she works with longtime rescuers and asks about events that stand out, almost all of them, she said, talk about a victim's family "that they just can't get out of their head." Colorado Search and Rescue members from across Colorado practice during the avalanche media event Thursday, March 11, 2021, on Vail Pass. Hugh Carey/Special to The Colorado Sun In the early days of search and rescue in Colorado, people just toughed it out," Donovan said, "but the mental health of first responders, from dispatch to law enforcement to volunteers, cannot be underestimated." "There's just a cascade of people who are mpacted by these calls," Donovan said. Each: reaction to traumatic exposure can be helped with specific strategies. McGladrey has an operational-stress: guide she follows, part of a military program. She checks in with rescuers three days, three weeks and three months after a traumatic event, like recovering bodies from an avalanche. Are they losing sleep, are they having nightmares, are they depressed or feeling out of control? "Laura is helping us, get better about being aware and thinking like Hmm, are you OK with what we. just saw, because that was pretty gruesome and it's OK to not be OK, you know?" said Dawn Wilson with the Alpine Rescue Team. Laura does an amazing job at making us more aware and being less machine and' being able to talk about things wel have seen." "She is vital to the future ofl how we keep rescuers safe," said Jeff Sparhawk, the president oft the Colorado Search and Rescue. Association. San Juan Search and Rescue's critical-incident stress debrief" after the grueling recovery of Seth Bossung, Andy Jessen and Adam Palmer, the Eagle men killed near Silverton, included a therapist who worked with team members. htps/lurangoherald.comlarides368696stress-thveatenslenscolbradosearchandres.ueleams7um.campagnedalyneadinessum.conlent-stress-t. 4/6 siketon SANJUAN COUNTY PO Box 250 PO Box 466 Silverton, CO 81433 Silverton, CO 81433 970-387-5522 970-387-5766 Date: March 21, 2021. For: March 24 Board of County Commissioners Meeting. From: Town/County Planning Director. Regarding: Some ofthe Planning Department Work During the Past Two Weeks. Recent County Projects The Planning Director as the County Floodplain Administrator attended the regional CWCB conference about our new, draft Town-County Floodplain-FEMA Maps. We will have some upcoming public meetings about our new Floodplain Maps in April. Ia am reviewing a draft application, prepared by a representative of Search and Rescue, for a proposed antenna/radio equipment, to be located on a mining claim near Chattanooga. I have received a draft County Improvement Permit Application for a proposed residence, located in an existing two-lot subdivision on the Shrine Road. I am working with the applicants proposing the second annual Bent Elbow Poker Run, who are preparing a County Special Events Permit Application. IH have been reading some FEMA, State, and local regulations, regarding what is allowable in Floodplain zones, and special requirements for protecting structures/utilities from flooding. The County Commissioners recently approved a proposed ADU cabin on Lime Creek Road. The County Commissioners recently tabled a Proposed Plat Amendment at Cole Ranch. The Planning Commission recently recommended conditional approval ofaj proposed driveway, gate, signs, and RV space, on a mining claim in Cunningham Gulch. Lisa Branner, who processes the Town Special Events/Film Permit Applications, will meet on March 22 with Lisa Adair, who processes the County Special Events/Film Permit Applications, to start coordinating the two separate processes. The Planning Director and Building Inspector have been responding to a lot ofinquiries regarding for-sale mining claims, and the applicable County regulations. I am working on some additional County items, such as legal notices, adjacent land owner letters, and updating of some County forms and County regulations. Recent Town Projects The Town Board approved a Rezoning Application, allowing for a proposed fourplex multi family structure at 5th & Reese. The Planning Commission, as the Town Historic Review Committee, approved a proposed balcony and façade improvements, at the Lashley Residence in the Historic Overlay District. The Town Master Plan Committee will meet on March 23 to discuss updating ofthe 2010 Town/County Master Plan. Page 1, Staff Report for BOCC, L. Adair, 3/21/21. Reviewing draft application: Proposed Roberts Infrastructure, Slope Hazard Overlay District Use Subject to Review Application, 8th & Bluff. Completed review this week of draft application: Preliminary-Final Plan, Proposed Merrill Heinbaugh Resubdivision, Block 4 Blagues Addition, 19th & Cement. Reviewing draft application: Proposed Structures/B&Bs, Avalanche & Floodplain Hazard Overlay Districts, Two Adjacent Use Subject to Review Applications, 13th & Cement. Reviewing draft application: Proposed Planeta Infrastructure, Slope Hazard Overlay District Use Subject to Review Application, 12th & Bluff. Reviewing Application: Singer Application for Proposed Vacation Rental, 11th & Reese. Preparing two draft Town Ordinances, regarding Vacation Rentals regulations, and establishing an Architectural Review Overlay District. Reviewing draft Town Board of Adjustment Minutes. Preparing Town Personnel & Ordinance Committee Minutes. Reviewing the draft Town Due Diligence Guide. Reviewing draft Town sign codes, and draft Town development reimbursement regulations. The Planning Director and Building Inspector have been responding to a lot ofi inquiries, regarding for-sale Lots and existing buildings, and the applicable Town regulations. There is a growing list of Town zoning regulations'application forms to update. I am working with the Interim Town Administrator, to arrange for a Town planning department clerical trainee, as well as arranging for revisions to Town zoning regulations. I am currently working on some additional Town items such as adjacent land owner letters. The County Commissioners/ctirzens can contact me with questions about the Town/County Planning Department at dair@siverion.cous or (970) 387-5522. Page 2, Staff Report for BOCC, L. Adair, 3/21/21. CDOT/San Juan County Meet & Greet Inbox Morschauser - CDOT, Linda Fri, Mar 19, 12:04 PM (3 days ago) to Sanjuancounty Hi Willy, We still need San Juan BOCC to sign up for a meeting date and time for our County Meetings. I believe you received a previous email from Colleen Ballo regarding this. Colleen is no longer heading this effort and I will be taking over from here. Please see the availability below and let me know what date and time works best for our CDOT/San Juan County meeting. Thank you! Friday, April 9 3:00 - 4:00 pm Friday, April 9 4:00 - 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 5 12:45 - 1:45 pm Wednesday, May 5 4:00 - 5:00 pm Monday, May 10 10:30 - 11:30 am Monday, May 10 2:45 - 3:45 pm Monday, May 10 3:45 - 4:45 pm Wednesday, May 26 2:00 - 3:00 pm Wednesday, May 26 3:00 - 4: 00 pm Wednesday, May 26 4:00 - 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 2 12:45 - 1:45 pm Wednesday, June 2 3:00 - 4:00 pm Wednesday, June 2 4:00 - 5:00 pm