[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6222728,"mediaKeyId","3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c","parentId",3585325,"title","Commissioners press EPA on repository work as federal staffing and budget shifts slow cleanup progress","audioSeconds",102,"startMs",5694000,"endMs",5796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c&start=5694&end=5796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c/thumbnail_5694000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6222728/San-Juan-County/Colorado/Commissioners-press-EPA-on-repository-work-as-federal-staffing-and-budget-shifts-slow-cleanup-progress","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222728-2dd067a17bd036ba9a7813c59ff899b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770881130&Signature=NDRxj5e0mB~SaghF4WNWGmCrGamLK0MQTId7rvz~quhOQLBTFJAJpClYGxXhUHC~bKCrivqkca~GkJqOVeDDZoDvDmcHgDq0-bfSEV2~yy3Ea2jFBFtVdteAaLkVjeWvbub7Qw7~orICZwTgcTKfY3EymB2dMMsmk67qRVw8imj8W3GB28vceDbgUi0cfJIulQjQnXyFbIcgBPlIP3h2rxoJU9XCP6UNJYTss8ypDj0bNdbbpPdg7XztrXH2YbHQezBZQq43-C8c-wpBvYfdXWT6tZn5DVQGb-4TrELWowe-6fNuie8JQLmS1PX08KLJdRCRhgCGphNhDsh96qZoig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Juan County","date","2025-05-29T00:00:00Z","article","County commissioners and staff raised concerns about delays in EPA-led repository work and related remediation actions, saying federal staffing changes and shifting priorities have postponed contract awards and threatened the schedule for cleanup work.

Why it matters: The repository and treatment work relate to long-standing mine-site contamination and settlement funds the county expects to support a water treatment plan. Continued delays could reduce the available settlement money and extend environmental and public-health impacts.

Commissioners said the EPA has not yet let the contract to build the repository and that a contract award this season is already late; staff estimated mid‑summer mobilization at best. \"They're missing out on a month of building season,\" a County Commissioner said during the meeting.

Commissioners also described internal federal shifts: one BLM employee involved in mine-lands reclamation was reassigned to other duties and the county is uncertain whether project momentum and available staff will support timely completion. County officials urged EPA to award the contract and begin construction because settlement funds and the ability to implement a treatment plant are time-sensitive. \"We really want to keep that settlement money for our [water] treatment plan,\" a County Commissioner said.

The county also discussed alternatives and technologies for treating contaminated water, and emphasized the need to define remediation and water‑quality targets (background levels) to guide treatment standards. Commissioners and staff noted the long history of the site and the need for clear goals to assess whether treatment will meet desired outcomes.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to press EPA for a timeline, to document the local fiscal and scheduling impacts of delays, and to report back to the board on contractor mobilization and potential interim measures to protect water quality while full remediation proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Juan Board of County Commissioner Meeting | May 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County officials said EPA-led remediation and repository construction work has been delayed and administrative changes at federal agencies have slowed progress; the county urged the EPA to award contracts and proceed to avoid losing settlement funds and to protect planned water treatment investments.","taxTitle","San Juan County, Colorado","taxId",73427,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6222732,"San Juan County road crew reports washouts, track failures and log jams; commissioners plan river and bridge work",807,99000,906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c&start=99&end=906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6222732/San-Juan-County/Colorado/San-Juan-County-road-crew-reports-washouts-track-failures-and-log-jams-commissioners-plan-river-and-bridge-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222732-cf8891b4757f7e12b936f354177dc025/orig.mp4?Expires=1770881130&Signature=d7On0Vq3a4souT387tgr-wxELa1dK9Hz3GlSBDb7dTsSg0gcR3aaryjHUjtGPWhRdGi5cboIjWzcN-7Dl838-kLXChIuqQwNKbjr4ty9bYFKmK-bjb0UalUewE231TzlQXxjdy0ct8CVaOgCBQyDvU0jpH-ruGfSGrGQC28dzsfMggcD01Yr3iPj2Lc0HUUsgXfXyMSK9QdnFqrfCgt8q9GQJQ5ix0BEs5vgRzqtzTWgHvA6E4~rcmZF92fLSdgNwoyCvzSfiaFROHTyRfUP3gCzI4lNGKAmt6IcFmyKnJ-r-10zY~n6pSayVEtJGjRTVPV~No8i-bSJiZRN6CwdIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County road staff reported significant spring damage to several county routes and described immediate and planned responses to protect access and utilities.

Why it matters: Damage to Mineral Creek, Peking Road and other high-country routes threatens seasonal access for residents and emergency services, risks utility poles where the river has shifted, and may require expensive engineering work if natural erosion and slope failures continue.

At the meeting, a county staff member gave a field report: \"When that road melted out, the water just finally won, and the whole road just sunk like 6 feet on the beaver side. So we put about 5 feet of slide rock in there, and then we've set about a foot of dirt,\" the Staff member said, describing emergency repairs and about 20 truckloads of gravel hauled to the site.

The crew also reported wear on a D6 dozer; staff said the machine's tracks and master link were failing and that new tracks arrived from Power Motive Corp. A staff speaker said they expect to get another 10,000 hours of undercarriage life if operators keep speeds slow and avoid rocky terrain.

Commissioners and staff discussed Peking Road, where narrowing shoulders and ongoing shoulder loss mean the county will need a substantial fix: options include drilling and blasting, re-routing onto private land with owner permission, cribbing, or heavy excavation to rebuild the road bed. \"Something in there is gonna have to happen huge in the next few years or we're gonna end up closing it,\" a Staff member said.

Near Eureka and Silverwing the county reported large log jams and a gravel accumulation under the bridge that require river mitigation. Staff said two power poles now sit in about 2 feet of water where the river channel migrated. The county plans to move an excavator to re‑channel the river away from poles and the road as a short-term measure, and staff recommended consulting the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about a long-term solution. \"We're gonna get it away from the telephone poles because if we have debris that comes down, that's the main concern,\" a Staff member said.

Staff also noted stockpiled gravel under the Eureka bridge that the county plans to clean out in fall low-water conditions and reuse, and warned that some riverbed cleanouts will require Corps of Engineers approval.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue immediate stabilization work, document the scope and costs of options for Peking Road, notify utilities and adjacent landowners about the river work, and follow up with BLM and the Corps of Engineers about longer-term river migration and bridge/gravel management plans.","County staff described major damage on Mineral Creek and Peking Road after spring melt, including a sink of about 6 feet, a dozer needing new tracks, and large log jams near Eureka that threaten utility poles; the county will reposition an excavator and consult the Corps of Engineers for longer-term fixes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6222737,"San Juan County tells Anvil Mountain lot-holders to show building plans; resident urges temporary park for children",1026,1660000,2686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c&start=1660&end=2686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585325-e0cea6d9d68cbdc220ec233042f0e85c/thumbnail_1660000.jpg","/articles/6222737/San-Juan-County/Colorado/San-Juan-County-tells-Anvil-Mountain-lot-holders-to-show-building-plans-resident-urges-temporary-park-for-children","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222737-eca56b16028995ebffd34bf781510670/orig.mp4?Expires=1770881130&Signature=Pgr8dhpa5P9pswbGAMtUAmyl~dYZQNaIXzfg4wp59-FyrtEn9UbClAYphASn1beUSyxLn1M5AeuHD-kV-beYaeqIT~SW-M23WJADk80JoQKzSatxY5qwITzXEW7t8Nt2hLrQLih~GyXC-xV4wzouiYXkykqXcdgTAryAx~2mdTe~T6FS7xcMOrlZXYAPoWr-NxUpCHDuevFgD7eEuzKQF2tbl1DCW-ahs0tF3mq2b5iFB7gGf3dhFOjjSa1ZB9VmF7YH3tcuUah7dA9U-YjIwfOzFwm~ARUc0WlhxVmDubUrvfCG6WXRdBE4CMwa2UouPMFgOs4DR4dIBHNp8vkYzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners asked owners of unsold or undeveloped lots at the Anvil Mountain/Bridal subdivision to provide a timeline and development plan, and gave notice letters asking for a response within 30 days.

The request came after commissioners said prolonged delays and rising construction costs have left several lots unsold or undeveloped years after they were offered at $30,000. A county official said fees and service hookups have raised the practical cost of a lot well above the advertised price.

Why it matters: The Anvil Mountain parcels were sold or set aside as part of a county-led affordable housing effort intended to produce primary residences for local families. Commissioners said stalled build-out undermines that goal and prevents other residents on the waiting list from using those lots.

Commissioners discussed sending a firm, but cooperative, letter to current lot-holders asking for an immediate schedule to complete construction. \"I got them out. I gave them 30 days,\" said County Commissioner, referring to the notices sent to lot owners. Commissioners also asked for a work session with the San Juan Housing Authority to reconsider lot pricing, wait-list rules and resale restrictions if owners do not proceed.

Residents and other meeting participants urged the county and the town of Silverton to consider community amenities as the neighborhood fills in. A public commenter identified as Resident suggested reserving a lot for a temporary park or community garden and argued the area lacks safe play space for children. \"I think children need a safe place to play,\" the Resident said during public comment.

The commission acknowledged additional costs beyond the $30,000 lot price: commissioners and staff noted $15,000 water/sewer hook-up fees and excavation costs can push the effective buyer cost substantially higher. Commissioners also discussed that the county borrowed money to develop apartments and has long-term debt related to housing projects, which limits the county’s ability to subsidize additional development indefinitely.

Next steps discussed included: (1) require lot-holders to submit a written schedule and progress plan within 30 days; (2) convene a work session with the San Juan Housing Authority and Silverton town representatives to review wait-list policy, deed restrictions and potential town/county contributions; and (3) explore short-term park or community-garden options for the Anvil/Bridal area, including identifying small, build‑limited lots that could be used for greenspace or a community garden until long-term park plans proceed.

Commissioners also referenced outside funding sources to help build parks and infrastructure — including GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado), DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) grant programs and private foundations — and encouraged staff to pursue those options alongside town partners.

Ending: Commissioners said they will circulate a proposed letter to lot holders and schedule the housing-authority work session; they also asked staff to inventory county-owned parcels in the Anvil/Bridal area that could be reserved for temporary recreation uses while long-term plans proceed.","Commissioners say they have asked Anvil Mountain lot owners to provide a schedule for completing homes after prolonged delays; residents and commissioners raised setting aside land for a temporary park or community garden in the Anvil/Bridal area.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners press EPA on repository work as federal staffing and budget shifts slow cleanup progress

San Juan County road crew reports washouts, track failures and log jams; commissioners plan river and bridge work

San Juan County tells Anvil Mountain lot-holders to show building plans; resident urges temporary park for children