- RAC representatives met with Juab County Commissioners to discuss the Mt. Nebo Wilderness Trail Project
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County Mt. Nebo Wilderness Trail Project will be completed during the summer of 2011.
Leonard Trauntvein, who, along with Tyson Garrett, represents the county on the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), met with Juab County Commissioners on Monday to discuss the trail project.
"I am here today to keep you informed and to request a letter from the commission chair (Val Jones)," said Trauntvein. "They would like a letter from you."
The RAC Committee project sponsors must review their proposals with their respective county commissions. Then those commissioners should write a letter certifying that they approved the project.
County commission documentation, in the form of a letter, must be part of the submission of the project.
"Doug Jones (District Ranger, Spanish Fork Ranger District, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache N.F./Region 4) filled out the paperwork for the project which was not accepted the first time it was submitted," said Trauntvein.
"The county has $11,000 of Title II funds and the Project cost was estimated at $20,000," he said.
The project was then presented by D. Jones, in person, at the following meeting held in October. It was then accepted with modification.
A question was raised by the RAC Committee about whether the county could contribute funding since the project exceeded the available funding by $4000.
Trauntvein said that the county could not, at this time, afford to expend extra funds.
D. Jones, explained, at the meeting, that the purpose of project was to increase public awareness of the trail route and that redefining the upper portion of the trail was the top priority.
The project was accepted but cuts were to be made in the type of signs proposed so that the project would fit into budget constraints.
Trauntvein said that RAC guidelines stressed that the proponent needs to bring the project to RAC, and/or someone who is the most knowledgeable about the project needs to present it.
If it's a Forest Service project, someone from the respective unit needs to be present. That is the reason that D. Jones presented the project.
The project form needed to include a map and, in the case of the Mt. Nebo Wilderness Trail Project, the project narrative needed to be more complete.
The signs were the largest reason that the project was over budget.
"There are a lot of signs and they are expensive," said Trauntvein.
"We do know what it going on," said V. Jones. "We have been in on the project from the beginning. But we didn't agree to the signing."
He said he would be happy to write a letter, commend the project and state commission approval.
"The trail has needed to be restored for the past 20 years," said V. Jones. "Not many people ride their horses there anymore because of the restrictions on feed—it needs to be certified feed—and those horses used to make good trails."
The trail has become dangerous because there are areas where it is disappearing. One of the problems is, that if a hiker did not know the way, they could find themselves in a serious situation because of dangerous terrain surrounding the trail.
There are three trails to the peak of Mt. Nebo, said Trauntvein. One leads from the Sheriff's Posse Cabin, the second follows Andrews Canyon and the third leads from the Monument. It is known as the Monument Basin Trail.
The trail leading up Andrews Canyon has now been blocked by a property owner to all but foot traffic and is now just a hiking trail.
"This project will lead from the Monument," said Trauntvein. "The reason for the project is that we need to more clearly define the trail."
Scouters and hikers from all over the country use the trail in the summer. Scouters hike to Board Camp, pitch tents, and then hike to the peak.
"It is well-used," said LuWayne Walker, commissioner.
Chad Winn, commissioner, agreed and said that many hikers from outside the area use the trail each year.
Trauntvein said that one of the RAC Committee members suggested that a hiking club group be contacted. In many places, he said, the hiking club members are more than willing to help restore trails as volunteers.
However, he suggested, if the Forest Service does hire people to work on the trail, it should be advertised locally in the Times-News. The local citizens should have a chance to be hired and not just for the one trail but for the summer trail building crew.
The project had not been rejected the first time it was presented, said Trauntvein. Rather, RAC agreed the application was incomplete and agreed to return the application with a suggestion to prioritize the projects and to reduce the scope to match the budget.
"I will write the letter right away," said V. Jones. "We will also contact Doug Jones about making certain our people get a chance to be hired."
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Resource Advisory Committee has been meeting, monthly, in Salt Lake City since July.
The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Secure Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Loyal Clark, is the RAC Coordinator, from the USDA, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Provo Office.
The first year, according to D. Jones, the project will be $10,000 for the upper trail, two seasonal workers and supplies.
An additional funding allocation will come to the county in February to be used on a project to be planned in 2011.
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