New route, new application

The first Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) meeting of the year started off with a wide slate of topics, ranging from health care to the Rock Creek Transmission Project during their January 2 meeting.

To start the meeting, the board approved the bills and monthly receipts before moving into discussing the issues of influenza and advertising for people to get vaccinated. After these discussions, the board listened to an update on the bridge replacement for the structure over the North Platte River on County Road 203. The bridge will not be replaced until 2028. Cost estimates for the bridge were established at a base level of at least $1 million.

Next, the BOCCC discussed a letter to be sent to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the Rock Creek Gen-Tie Transmission Line. This project is a part of a wind energy project that would introduce new wind farms in Carbon and Albany county. The BLM previously withdrew the right-of-way for the project to cross federal public lands over environmental concerns. Now, the BLM will be conducting an Environmental Assessment to allow the public to comment on potential environmental impact of the right-of-way.

The main comment provided in the letter noted that if the route has material changes, then a new Conditional Use Permit will be required for the project.

After concerns were brought up regarding differences between the map and the original application, an additional comment was added. Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones questioned “whether the alternative that they’re proposing, is that different, that 1.7 mile deviation on their Western Route Alternative”. It was noted that Section 35 Township 24 North Range 80 was not listed in their legal description in the original application. This section was said to have been included in the maps.

As a result, the new comment requested clarification as to whether the “proposed Western Route Alternative was initially included in the original project application, as there are discrepancies between the route being included on maps but not listed in the project legal description”. Once these alterations were made, the letter was approved to be sent.

For the next major part of the meeting, the commissioners met with Franz Fuchs from the Wyoming Department of Health to discuss the Behavioral Health Redesign at the state level, with focus being put on gatekeeping. The board brought many questions and concerns, mainly focused on the board wanting to be involved in who would be designated gatekeeper for the county.

Following discussion of health care from the state level, discussion moved on to the monthly update for the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. Focus was put on goals for 2024, and devoting time to education and training. Some changes will be made at an organizational level. Issues were brought up with revenue, and solution plans will be addressed in the future. Plans for community engagement involve being consistent with what has been established over the past five years.

To conclude the meeting, the commissioners wished everyone a happy new year. The meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. on January 16 at the Carbon Building - Courthouse Annex in Rawlins.