Duchesne County commissioners ratify $511,000 preconstruction request for Pickup Wash flood-control study

Duchesne County commissioners on March 16 ratified a request to pursue about $511,000 in preconstruction planning funds for the Pickup Wash Flood Control Project, a move county officials say will support FEMA grant applications and preliminary design work.

Commissioner Greg Miles described the county27s work with Jones & DeMille Engineering and coordination with the State Department of Emergency Management to prepare a FY27 Community Project Funding request. Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson told commissioners the funds would pay for preconstruction engineering, geotechnical studies, permitting and NEPA work, property and title work, and legal work tied to water rights.

The county broke the $511,000 total into five preconstruction tasks: preconstruction engineering, survey and contractor procurement ($185,000); geotechnical evaluation ($148,000); NEPA compliance, permitting, Corps coordination, dam safety and stream-alteration work ($111,000); property title search and option to purchase ($30,000); and water-rights and legal work ($37,000). Gottfredson said the study would position the county to apply for FEMA appropriations and clarify potential benefits for Duchesne and neighboring communities.

Commissioner Jeff Chugg moved to ratify the appropriation request and authorize the chair to sign; Commissioner Tracy Killian seconded. Chugg, Killian and Chairman Miles voted aye and the motion passed unanimously (3-0).

County officials said the appropriation is for preconstruction planning only; funding for construction would require separate approval and additional permitting, including compliance with NEPA and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The county did not set an implementation timeline for construction and said further steps depend on the outcome of the planned study and subsequent grant awards.

Next steps identified in the meeting included formalizing the request documents with Jones & DeMille Engineering and continuing coordination with the State Department of Emergency Management and FEMA.