Commissioners delay lifting fire restrictions

County signs cost-share agreement for Bear Fire

Commissioners consider intervening in federal grazing lawsuit

Board declines to comment on U.S. Forest Service Roadless Rule

Proposed conservation district storage yard faces pushback

Board debates funding sources for comprehensive plan

Special prosecutor appointed for sheriff's office conflict

1. Commissioners delay lifting fire restrictions

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — Despite recommendations from Fire Chief Shad Cooper and recent moves by federal agencies to lift their own restrictions, the Sublette County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to keep local fire restrictions in place for two more weeks. Commissioners cited ongoing dry conditions, the anniversary of the devastating 2018 Roosevelt Fire and the influx of visitors for the upcoming hunting season as reasons to delay the rollback. The board ultimately agreed to wait for wetter weather before allowing open burning on private property, marking a rare split from federal and state land management policies.

2. County signs cost-share agreement for Bear Fire

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — Sublette County will avoid major financial liabilities from the Bear Fire after commissioners unanimously approved a multi-agency cost-share agreement. Fire Chief Shad Cooper reported that the Wyoming State Forestry Division approved an emergency fire suppression account, meaning the county will only be responsible for the cost of the initial attack on the fire's first day. The agreement divides the remaining suppression costs among the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and private property owners based on the total acreage burned.

3. Commissioners consider intervening in federal grazing lawsuit

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — The board is exploring whether to join the Upper Green River Cattle Association and the Sublette County Conservation District in a federal lawsuit over temporary grazing rights. The environmental group Western Watersheds Project recently sued the U.S. Forest Service to block temporary grazing authorizations issued on the Elk Ridge Complex after the Dollar Lake Fire displaced local livestock. Commissioners asked the county attorney to research the litigation's timeline before deciding whether to file an amicus brief supporting the agricultural groups at their next meeting.

4. Board declines to comment on U.S. Forest Service Roadless Rule

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — Following a lengthy debate over local control and backcountry access, commissioners voted to submit a "no comment" position regarding the U.S. Forest Service's Roadless Rule. While some public commenters and commissioners initially advocated for rescinding the federal rule to allow for more localized forest management and timber clearing, commissioners warned that opening these areas could lead to severe off-road vehicle damage and unregulated trails. A motion to support returning control to the local level was ultimately replaced by the final decision to withhold an official county comment.

5. Proposed conservation district storage yard faces pushback

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — A proposal by the Sublette County Conservation District to build a new equipment storage yard on county-owned property met resistance from commissioners concerned about its proximity to residential areas. District representatives requested an easement near Country Club Lane for a fenced storage facility to house project materials, but commissioners argued the site would be an eyesore for neighboring apartment complexes. The board urged the district to work with the Sublette County Road and Bridge Department to find an alternative location on the parcel that would not disrupt the neighborhood's aesthetics.

6. Board debates funding sources for comprehensive plan

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioners debated how to fund upcoming updates to the county's comprehensive plan and zoning regulations, raising concerns over utilizing Wyoming Business Council grants for the project. While the state confirmed the Business Ready Community Grant funds could be used if the plan includes an economic development component, commissioners argued the $300,000 budget line should be saved specifically for direct business opportunities rather than administrative planning efforts. The board agreed to revisit the funding allocation before drawing from restricted accounts.

7. Special prosecutor appointed for sheriff's office conflict

SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — A neighboring county attorney was appointed as a special prosecutor to handle a pending Sublette County case due to an internal conflict of interest. Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich requested the outside appointment, stating that the ongoing investigation involves a conflict regarding the sheriff's office. Reimbursable travel expenses will be covered by Sublette County if the attorney is required to travel to Pinedale to litigate the case.

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