COMMISSIONERS

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT THE COURTHOUSE IN SUNDANCE, CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

8:30 o’clock a.m. Present were Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairwoman Jeanne A. Whalen, Member Fred M. Devish and County Clerk Linda Fritz.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the Flag.

Jeanne moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2021-12

FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET AMENDMENT

WHEREAS Crook County adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget in accordance with the Wyoming Uniform Fiscal Procedures Act; and

WHEREAS the Board of Crook County Commissioners wishes to amend the adopted budget in accordance with the same Act; and

WHEREAS, no protests were received regarding such transfer.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following budget amendments are made.

FROM: Unanticipated Revenues to the following:

$9,780.00 to Commissioner Budget-Socio-Economic Plan Line

Dated this 1st day of June, 2021

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A.

Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on June 1, 2021 by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A. Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Linda Fritz, Crook County Clerk.

Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Fred moved to approve two Contract Change Orders with Geographic Innovations for independent GIS services and mapping for the Assessor’s Office. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Jeanne moved to approve Amendment One to the Memorandum of Understanding Between Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division and Crook County. This is an extension to the performance period for the $88,920.00 grant. Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Jeanne moved to approve the minutes from May 4 & 5, 2021. Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Fred made a motion to continue to pay 100% of the employee paid portion of Wyoming Retirement and to pay the new rate for any pay vouchers submitted after 7-1-2021. There was a .5% increase in the public employee pension plan. After discussion, Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $18,203.47

County Sheriff $31,027.01

Clerk of District Court $2,785.11

Circuit Court $11,198.00

Public Health (March) $7,579.29

The following bills were presented to the Board:

Claimant-Description-Amount Allowed:

Total Wages-$205,831.60;Redwater Cafe-Fire Meals-$650.00;AFLAC-Insurance-$2,132.56;Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming-Health Insurance-$70,382.00;Col. Life & Accident Ins. Co.-Insurance-$48.07;Crook County Payroll Tax Account-Withholding & Social Security-$60,873.17;Delta Dental of Wyoming-Dental Insurance-$2,670.00;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$2,150.00;NCPERS Wyoming-Life Insurance-$160.00;New York Life Insurance Company-Life Insurance-$607.96;VSP-Vision Insurance-$745.76;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$8,067.42;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$46,978.85;Wyoming Child Support-Garnishment-$413.00;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Life Insurance-$226.46;3D Specialties Inc-Sign-$166.63;A & B Business Inc-RICOH Troubleshoot-$307.50;Alex Jessen-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;All Around Hardware-Parts & Supplies-$47.62;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$275.87;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$112.55;Axis Forensic Toxicology Inc-Drug Panel-$245.00;Bear Lodge Motel-Room Rent-Witness-$68.00;Black Hills Chemical Co.-Courthouse Supplies-$181.38;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$31.17;Blakeman Propane Inc-Propane -$148.15;Bomgaars-Straps, Battery & Trimmer-$249.96;Bytespeed LLC-Server-$4,875.00;Calvin Wolf-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;CBH CO-OP-Fuel-$19,423.50;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$1,086.05;Charm-Tex Inc-Washable Flex Pen-$65.44;City of Gillette-Water-$6.50;City of Sundance-Water-$1,920.92;Clerk of District Court-Jury Account Funding-$6,000.00;CNA Surety-Notary-$50.00;Colin Shamion Trucking-Contract Hauling -$1,757.94;Collins Communications-Labor, Fire Alarm Monitoring-$436.00;Croell Inc-Road Base-$13,564.88;Crook County Medical Service Dist.-Prisoner Foods & Meals, Inmate Medical-$10,382.15;Crook County Treasurer-Postage-$233.50;Crook County Weed & Pest-Milestone & Glyphosate-$346.76;Custom Auto & Truck-Parts, Repairs, Oil Changes, Tire Rotations-$2,825.11;Dan Bush-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Darren Horn-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;David Osborne-Mileage, Registration, Reimbursement-Keyboard & Monitor-$441.15;Day Law-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$60.00;Decker’s Market-Supplies-$63.62;Dianna Ewing-Appeal Transcript-$234.00;Dooley Enterprises Inc-Ammo-$231.98;Douglas E Leis-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Douglas E Stevens-Professional Fees-$700.00;Edward Robinson-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Eric Stevens-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Fedex-Postage-$4.54;Fred Devish-Cell Phone Reimbursement & Mileage-$505.21;Galls, LLC-Uniforms & Uniform Accessories, LED Lights-$1,038.28;Gillette Printing & Engraving Co, Inc.-Decal Sets-$675.60;Glaxosmithkline-Vaccine-$3,237.00;Grimms Pump & Industrial Supply -Parts-$2,905.81;Grossenburg Implement Inc-Parts-$27.74;Harris Govern Ft. Collins User Group Inc-User Group Annual Dues-$150.00;HDR Engineering, Inc.-Professional Services-$1,355.30;Humphrey Law LLC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$1,222.80;Ingrid Thomason -Cell Phone Reimbursement -$25.00;Jagow Enterprises Inc-Contract Hauling -$11,171.95;Jeanne Whalen-Reimbursement-Food for RT-130 Training-$30.82;Jeff Garman-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$45.00;Jeff Sanders-Mileage-$71.34;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Jim Brandenburg-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$25.00;Jory Tadlock-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Josh Throckmorton-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Justin Davidson-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$25.00;Kathaleen Spencer-Reimbursement-Tissues-$6.24;KC Transport, Inc.-Contract Hauling -$7,029.34;Kelly B Dennis-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$45.00;Kenneth Kary-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$25.00;Knecht Home Center of Spearfish LLC-Parts & Supplies-$1,235.01;Kyle Shamion Trucking-Contract Hauling -$1,947.28;Lakeview Wash & Storage-Car Washes-$171.24;Larry Schommer-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$45.00;Levi Galloway-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$45.00;Linda S. Fritz-Mileage & Meal-$199.73;Lynda R Bush-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$45.00;Marco Technologies LLC-Copy/Maint. Fee-$54.50;Mary Kuhl-Cell Phone & Supplies Reimbursement & Mileage-$286.42;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,200.00;MC Service & Repair LLC-Repair Breaks-$495.27;Melanie Wilmer-Cell Phone Reimbursement & Travel Per Diem-$127.50;Michael R Frolander-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Misty Nuzum-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Morgan Ellsbury-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Nicholas Kaminski-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Online Web Services US, Inc-Subscription-$359.00;Patty Cox-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$45.00;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$5,820.61;Powder River Power, DIV of Purvis-Parts-$283.46;Powerplan BF-Fuel, Parts & Labor-$1,102.33;Pro River Tech-Computer Services-$8,000.65;Quality Agg & Construction, Inc-J Base, Contract Hauling-$9,697.23;Quality Hardware & Supply -Parts-$203.77;Quik Signs-Sign-$382.57;Quill Corporation-Office Supplies, Office Chair-$434.34;Range Telephone-Telephone -$7,217.45;Rasmussen Mechanical Services, Inc.-Repairs-$2,329.74;RG Trucking-Contract Hauling -$11,594.17;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel-$312.43;Royal Mitchell-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Runnings Supply Inc-Panels-$14,083.40;Safeguard Business Systems-Office Supplies, WYO Sales Tax Receipts-$1,958.27;Sam Waugh-Cell Phone Reimbursement -$25.00;Sanofi Pasteur, Inc-Vaccine-$102.07;Sara Fleenor-Mileage-$210.56;Scott Newlin-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Security Insurance Agency Inc.-Notary Bond-$50.00;Shamion Trucking-Contract Hauling -$1,817.07;Source Management Inc-Supplies-$556.43;State of Wyoming-Archive Storage-$2.47;Stateline Station-Fuel-$69.49;Stewart Trucking LLC-Contract Hauling -$11,459.43;Stulken Law PC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$70.00;Sundance Custom Steel LLC-Channel & Trim-$88.41;Sundance Electric Inc-Parts & Labor-$7,339.66;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$147.71;Sundance State Bank-Direct Deposit Fees-$10.18;Sundance Times-Ads, Legal-$1,363.50;Svoboda Trucking-Poly Tank-$2,500.00;Sylvestri Customization-Monthly Website Maint., Graphic Design & Social Media-$600.00;Ted Moline-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$25.00;The Master’s Touch, LLC-Mailing Services for Notices of Assessments-$1,383.67;Timberline Services Inc-Topsoil-$8,910.00;Todd Leimser-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Tongue River Communications-Jail Cable -$91.00;Top Office Products, Inc.-Chairs, Copy Charge, Supplies-$4,003.09;Tower Valley Ag Supply-Fuel, Water-$175.13;Town of Hulett-Water-$60.30;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$1,021.92;Troy Skeens-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;University of Wyoming-Salary-$16,737.00;US Post Office-Box Rent-$396.00;Vilas Pharmacy-Inmate Meds, Office Supplies-$380.14;Visa-Supplies, Adobe, Travel Expenses, Straight Talk, Subscriptions, Jury Meals, Postage, Taser-$7,365.25;W Bar Feed & Ranch Supply-Tube-$26.50;Wendy DePina-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Western Stationers-Office Supplies-$156.64;Windstream-Telephone-$175.07;WY Department of Health-State Nurse 2nd & 3rd Quarter-$21,724.44;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$505.17;WY Retirement System-Firemen’s Retirement -$618.75;WY State Forestry Division-Parts-$935.99;WY-DOT Financial Services-Project Expenditures-$146.98;WYO Services LLC-Hydroseeding-$5,753.60;Wyoming Behavioral Institute-Acute Adult Unit-$3,016.00;Wyoming Machinery Company-Parts & Labor-$24,593.55;Zee Medical Service-First Aid Supplies-$166.40;Total-$695,453.09;

Fred moved to allow all bills as presented. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried. A complete, detailed listing of the monthly expenditures can be found on the county website. They can be found under the County Budget tab and are listed as “Monthly Accounts Payable/Payroll Payments”.

Sara Fleenor, UW Area Educator, gave a monthly report.

Linda Fritz, County Clerk: Office issued 358 titles, recorded 539 documents, working on getting signed up with the federal government for the American Recovery Funds to be received, working on budget, worked with special districts, counter has been busy, attended a Clerk’s meeting in Douglas, working with the Clerk’s legislative committee and title committee on implementing new laws that go into effect July 1, 2021 and also monitoring some possible proposed legislation that may affect elections and if it will even be possible to administer them. Big Horn Imaging will be bringing over a big flatbed scanner that they will let us use for free to scan all older books that don’t come apart.

Mary Kuhl, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $3,357,061.93 and Disbursements including county, boards, towns and schools were $1,727,216.49. Number of Transactions in May were 3,173. Activity as follows;

Financial Management / Cash Receipting We have been working in review so that we can prepare for the upcoming fiscal year end, at the end of June. Tax Assessment / Tax Billing We are working on two project that involve tax redemptions and tax deed applications, so we will be working through that process. There have been some legislative changes to the way that production taxes will be paid. Senate File 60 provides for a lot of changes for mineral production taxes. The Wyoming County Treasurer’s Association have been working with WCCA and the Dept. of Revenue. Sales Tax Sales tax collections on vehicles and trailers for the month of May was $167,939.97. The county keeps 5% for the collection and we sent the balance to the DOR for distribution. Vehicle Registrations We have been experiencing problems with the vehicle registration reminder card printer, there is a hardware issue we are still trying to work out. Information Technology We are preparing for a scanning project to record documents, we have a starting point for this project and we are in the process of getting the equipment to proceed with this project.

Joe Baron, County Attorney: Joe: New Cases: 12; Closed Cases: 20; Current Case Load: 73; In Court (May): 23

Lynda: New Cases: 14; Closed Cases: 26; Current Case Load: 89; In Court (May): 60; Upcoming: Jury Trials –June 2021: 2 Trials (Circuit Court (1) District Court (1)) Bench Trial - June 2021: 4 Bench Trials (Circuit Court (3) District Court (1)) Dave: Participated in 85 cases in court. Wendy: Attended 2 MDT meetings; Attended 6 hearings; Offered Alive @ 25 / Internet Traffic School to 6; MIP Citations = XX; managed Diversion contracts and letters; Verified insurance on multiple occasions; Attended CPT and Triad meetings.

Joe Civil Matters: G&W Railroad, Review MOU’s, Agreements and Contracts; obtaining easement from state for Road 160, field questions from landowners concerning easements, review upcoming legislation, welcome a new county attorney in Albany County and offer assistance, look at several special prosecution cases, deal with overwhelming out of county requests and how to deal with them, answer several public record requests, opinion on vacation of subdivision exemption, various other subdivision issues, tax issues, several bankruptcy filings, a notice from the WO&G commission, Dismissal for the PHO lawsuit, a Notice of Governmental Claim, Title 25 cases and billing issues, and some questions concerning Water Districts.

Theresa Curren, County Assessor: Protest period ended Friday, May 28th after mailing Notices of Assessment on April 28th.  Will be scheduling an Abstract hearing with the State Board of Equalization in June for them to approve the county valuation for tax year 2021.  Sales have not slowed down yet this year.  We currently have over 100 more deeds recorded now than we did at this same time last year.  Brenda is almost done scanning our documents.  She will be moving onto the Treasurer’s office next. 

County Commissioners: Kelly: Had a discussion with Senator Driskill regarding redistricting. Jeanne: Discussed broadband issues with Senator Driskill, Aladdin Community Hall upgrades are underway, Century link in the Aladdin area went down again-made calls on that. Fred: Attended the Wyoming County Commissioners meeting in Rock Springs, shared a resolution on federal oil & gas lease moratorium, said that the Biden 30 by 30 plan is opposed by all Wyoming counties, discussed predatory animal control regulations, discussed the American Recovery funds.

Morgan Ellsbury, Road and Bridge Superintendent and Larry Schommer, Facilities Maintenance Foreman, gave their monthly reports.

Adjourned for lunch at 12:02 o’clock p.m.

1:00 o’clock p.m. Present were Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairwoman Jeanne A. Whalen, Member Fred M. Devish and County Clerk Linda Fritz.

The following people gave monthly reports: Jill Mackey, County Library Director, and Carolyn Fowler, Secretary, Fair Board.

Jeanne moved to make the following board appointments:

Mary Farnsworth- Crook County Library Board Member – Three Year Term-expiring 6-30-2024

Criss Neiman-Crook County Library Board Member-Three Year Term-expiring 6-30-2024

Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Tim Lyons, Growth and Development Administrator, gave a monthly report. Cody Galloway, Board Member, gave a monthly CCLUP&ZC update.

Fred moved to make the following board appointments:

Dustin Buckmiller- Crook County Land Use Planning and Zoning Commission Board Member – Three Year Term-expiring 6-30-2024

Mary Yemington-Crook County Land Use Planning and Zoning Commission Board Member-Three Year Term-expiring 6-30-2024

Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present for the hearing on the Waliezer No. 2 Replat-Final Approval were Steven & Holly Waliezer, Cody Galloway, Morgan Ellsbury & Roger Connett, Members, CCLUP&ZC, Tim Lyons, Growth & Development Coordinator, Tracey Jundt, Deputy Assessor and Bob Latham. After discussion and hearing no objections, Fred moved to approve an Order Approving Subdivision Plat and the Replat of Lot 5, Waliezer No. 2 Minor Subdivision. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Ed Robinson, Homeland Security County Coordinator, gave a monthly report.

Present for the monthly I.T. update were Tom Overstreet, Pro River Technology (via conference call) Mary Kuhl and Bob Latham.

Fred moved to approve a catering permit for Historic Aladdin LLC dba Aladdin General Store for a charity concert for Shriners Hospital on June 19, 2021. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Mary Kuhl, County Treasurer submitted the following monthly report of receipts and disbursements for month end May 2021:

Total Receipts $3,357,061.93

Disbursements: Towns $15,186.34

County Boards $152,195.97

State & Local School $581,219.46

DOT/DOR/Rebate $172,490.17

Redemption/S. Park $0

Total $921,091.94

Investments Sundance State Bank $1,582,384.25 0.25%

Wyo-Star/Wyo Class $1,410,816.87 0.1542% $155.00

The meeting adjourned at 3:47 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

8:30 o’clock a.m. Present were Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairwoman Jeanne A. Whalen, Member Fred M. Devish and County Clerk Linda Fritz.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the Flag.

Preston Beckstead, Resident Engineer, Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), gave an update on bridge and road projects.

Morgan Ellsbury, Road and Bridge Superintendent and Larry Schommer, Facilities Maintenance Foreman, continued their monthly reports.

Present for the hearing to review a proposed resolution in opposition to President Biden’s 30 by 30 plan were Sarah Anderson and Jake Blackstone, CCNRD, Sarah Pridgeon, Sundance Times, Joe Baron, County Attorney and Morgan Ellsbury, Road & Bridge Superintendent.

Tally Hughes and Phil Schutt were present on behalf of Blakeman Propane to discuss the county purchasing propane tanks currently being used by the county and the bid of pre-buy propane.

Jerry Vest, Assistant Vice-President of Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad was present (via phone) to discuss worn out rail that needs replacing including line that services to Colony, WY. He is requesting a letter of support to put in the application to replace the line from Colony, WY to Ft. Pierre, SD. Fred moved to approve a Statement of Support for the awarding of a United States Department of Transportation RAISE Grant to the South Dakota Freight Capacity Expansion Project. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Morgan Ellsbury continued his monthly report.

Jeanne moved to approve the following resolution:

STATE OF Wyoming

COUNTY OF Crook

At a regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for Crook, Wyoming, held at the Crook County Courthouse, Sundance, Wyoming on June 2, 2021, there were present:

Sarah Anderson & Jake Blackstone, CCNRD, Sarah Pridgeon, Sundance Times, Joe Baron, County Attorney and Morgan Ellsbury, Road & Bridge Superintendent.

RESOLUTION NO. 2021-13

RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S “30 X 30” LAND PRESERVATION GOAL

WHEREAS, Crook County is a legal and political subdivision of the State of Wyoming for which the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) is authorized to act; and

WHEREAS, Crook County containing about 1,834,006.98219 acres of land situated in the northeast; and

WHEREAS, the federal government owns 15.09% of the land within the County, and the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Devils Tower National Monument, National Grasslands, US Air Force, and the US Forest Service are responsible for managing over 276,694.13 acres of these federal lands (as shown on Exhibit A on file with the Public notice on the county website and at the County Clerk’s office) and

WHEREAS, approximately 13,089.36 acres (nearly 0.714% percent) of privately owned lands in Crook County are also already protected with perpetual conservation easements (as shown on Exhibit B on file with the Public notice on the county website and at the County Clerk’s office) and

WHEREAS, there are 2 designated Roadless Areas: in the Sand Creek Area, and Inyan Kara Mountain (as shown on Exhibit C on file with the Public notice on the county website and at the County Clerk’s office) and

WHEREAS, designating lands as wilderness does not assure its preservation. Left in an undisturbed or natural state, these lands are highly susceptible to wildland wildfires, insect infestation and disease, all of which degrades the natural and human environment; and

WHEREAS, because of the predominance of federal land in Crook County, the well- being, health, safety, welfare, economic condition, and culture of the County; its businesses, and its citizens depend on access to these lands and their resources; and

WHEREAS, many of Crook County’s businesses and its’ citizens are involved in or otherwise depend on industries that utilize federal lands and their resources, including the forest products industry, livestock grazing, oil and gas exploration and production, mining and mineral development, recreational industries, hunting and other outdoor recreation; and

WHEREAS, these industries are important components of Wyoming’s economy, and are major contributors to the economic and social wellbeing of Crook County and its’ citizens; and

WHEREAS, on January 27, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., issued Executive Order 14008 entitled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 Fed. Reg. 7,619); and

WHEREAS, in Section 216 of Executive Order 14008, President Biden directed the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other senior officials, to develop a program to conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030, which is called the “30 x 30” program; and

WHEREAS, under the 30 x 30 program, some 680 million acres of our Nation’s lands would be set aside and permanently preserved in its natural state, preventing the productive use of these lands and their resources; and

WHEREAS, there is no constitutional or statutory authority for the President, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, or any other federal agency to set aside and permanently preserve 30 percent of all land and water in the United States, and no such authority is referenced in Executive Order 14008; and

WHEREAS, the 30 x 30 program, if implemented, is likely to cause significant harm to the economy of Crook County, and injure the County’s businesses and its citizens by depriving them of access to public lands and national forest system lands and preventing the productive use of these land’s resources; and

WHEREAS, the withdrawal of some 680 million acres of federal lands from multiple use and placement of such lands in permanent conservation status will cause dramatic and irreversible harm to the economies of many western states, including Wyoming, and in particular rural counties such as Crook County whose citizens depend on access to federal lands for their livelihoods; and

WHEREAS, the 30 x 30 program, if implemented, will conflict with the plans, policies and programs of Crook County as expressed in The Crook County Land Use Plan, adopted in 2014, and the Natural Resource Management Plan adopted December 2, 2020 which obligates the federal government to coordinate its policy development with Crook County as also required by the Federal Land Management and Policy Act (FLPMA) and the National Forest Management Act (NFMA); and

WHEREAS, Executive Order 14008 at 216(a) directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with other relevant federal agencies to “submit a report to the Task Force within 90 days of the date of this order recommending steps that the United States should take, working with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, agricultural and forest landowners, fishermen, and other key stakeholders, to achieve the goal of conserving at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Crook County, Wyoming, as follows:

1. The Board opposes the 30 x 30 program, including its objective of permanently preserving 30 percent of the Nation’s lands in its natural state by 2030, or any similar program that will set aside and prevent the productive use of millions of acres of our lands.

2. The Board further opposes the designation of public lands and national forests in Crook County as wilderness, wilderness study areas, wildlife preserves, open space, or other conservation land, thereby restricting public access to such lands and preventing the development and productive use of the resources on or within such lands.

3. The Board supports the continued management of the public lands and the national forests under principles of multiple use and sustained yield, recognizing the Nation’s need for domestic sources of minerals, energy, timber, food, and fiber, and in careful coordination with Crook County to ensure consistency with County land use plans and land management policies, as required by law.

4. The Board supports maintaining and enhancing public access to public lands and national forests and opposes road closures, road decommissioning, moratoria on road construction, and other limitations on public access for the purpose of fulfilling the 30 x 30 program’s objectives.

5. The Board recognizes and supports the State of Wyoming’s water rights system, including the doctrine of prior appropriation and other state laws and programs governing water rights and water use, and opposes any federal designation of waters and watercourses within the County that would impair or restrict water diversions and uses authorized under Wyoming law.

6. The Board supports reasonable national, regional, and global greenhouse gas emissions policies and goals that are comprehensive, practical, cost-effective, and do not unnecessarily single out specific industries or activities. The Board opposes the use of global climate change as an excuse to set aside large tracts of land as preserves or open space to fulfill the 30 x 30 program’s objectives unless a similiar amount of land and water is set aside by other developed countries.

7. The Board maintains that the designation of public lands and national forest lands as wilderness, wilderness study areas, wildlife preserves, open space, or other conservation land to fulfill the 30 x 30 program’s objectives may lawfully occur, if at all, only through the planning process mandated by the Federal Land Management and Policy Act (for public lands) or the National Forest Management Act (for national forest lands), through the NEPA process and including public notice and an opportunity to comment, to analysis and to disclose of the impacts of such land acquisitions and change of usage on the well-being, health, safety, welfare, economy, and culture of Crook County, its businesses, and its citizens, and careful coordination with Crook County to ensure consistency with County land use plans and land management policies.

8. The Board also maintains that any non-federal lands or other rights that are acquired to fulfill the 30 x 30 program’s objectives should be acquired only from willing landowners and for the payment full and fair market value for all rights and interests acquired, and not through regulatory compulsion, and only after analyzing and considering the impacts of such land acquisitions on the well-being, health, safety, welfare, economy, and culture of Crook County, its businesses, and its citizens.

9. The Board shall send a copy of this Resolution to the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture and all other relevant Federal and State agencies; the Wyoming Congressional Delegation; and the Governor of Wyoming.

DATED this 2nd day of June, 2021.

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A.

Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on June 2, 2021 by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A. Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Linda Fritz, Crook County Clerk.

Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 11:58 o’clock a.m.

1:00 o’clock p.m. Present were Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairwoman Jeanne A. Whalen, Member Fred M. Devish and County Clerk Linda Fritz.

The following people provided monthly reports: Ralph Knode, Chief Executive Officer, Strata Energy, Andrew Litzel, Supervisor and Wade Dennis, Director, Weed & Pest, Sarah Anderson, Program Manager and Jake Blackstone, Conservation Field Technician, CCNRD, and Mike Gosse, District Ranger, USFS.

Commissioner Tony Barton, Weston County, came to discuss Weston and Crook counties partnering to hire a consultant to represent us with the forest plan revision.

Jeanne moved to make the following board appointment:

Lincoln Driskill Crook County Weed & Pest Director-Area 2-Unexpired 4 Year Term

Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Dwayne & Katie Allen along with Wade Dennis were present to request that the Board sign a proclamation declaring the week of June 20-27, 2021, as Amateur Radio Week. Jeanne moved to sign a Proclamation per their request. Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Pat Donahue, Shannon LaPlaunt & Darlene Coder were present to request that Bear Lodge Ranch Road be a maintained county road.

Ed & Carol Mosher along with Attorney Mark Hughes and Dave Cromes were present to discuss creating a Minor Subdivision.

Fred moved to approve a catering permit for Sand Creek Trading Post LLC dba Sand Creek Trading post for a wedding at Ranch A on July 3, 2021. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

As required by Wyoming Statute 18-3-516 (f) information on meeting dates, meeting agendas, official minutes, annual budget and other information required by law to be published in a newspaper of general circulation can also be accessed on the Crook County website: http://www.crookcounty.wy.gov .

The meeting adjourned at 3:10 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular session on July 6 & 7, 2021 at 8:30 o’clock a.m. in the Commissioner Room at the Courthouse in Sundance, Wyoming.

Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman Jeanne A. Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman

Fred M. Devish, Member Attested: Linda Fritz, County Clerk

Publish: June 10, 2021