[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6236712,"mediaKeyId","3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d","parentId",3355577,"title","Council members flag dam repairs, retention ponds and conservation as region faces low water","audioSeconds",51,"startMs",4984000,"endMs",5035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d&start=4984&end=5035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d/thumbnail_4984000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236712/Utah/Council-members-flag-dam-repairs-retention-ponds-and-conservation-as-region-faces-low-water","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236712-e40347cbd089016347b2f5b468b75c0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771362723&Signature=C-hpG-zo6YYoeBjYPMhvSchNp5Ku-QRGU~IyAB0L9GSZL7JHdhcmHFgx8SKdybC7Xhez3wGK~SmGYQfiNZkn~iO~w7GhC9CHmRqSWyOOfwQXxbnregRJHRT-aUiV1CL1L9nAC9IV0R4cJef50zupWbLrzjkne2PjrVKKytDS2tKLOjIAzvz~MwZNP~o~NeH1bzdy6KoUSLavN~qfVHVA19ATjgAEZER~bgOwAe6AZ8sVYJEg01NCKOx4UMti7TLdTp1gNamVEQJp8wd-trLlvpWhPWQjCwp1pEJUoIADOVLqpms28Y8GVrYOrBTyEakNPffnlzkTd9wx1nZLN7QqZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah Watersheds Council","date","2025-05-15T21:44:31Z","article","Council members used the April 14 meeting to report local infrastructure needs and water-supply concerns as snowpack and inflows lag typical averages.

Ken (participant), who said his diversion dam had been repaired enough to divert water on March 15, asked the council for help finding \"another 3 good side belly dumps of riprap rock\" to complete bank protection at the Mill Creek diversion. \"We were able to get our diversion dam repaired enough that we were diverting water on time on March 15,\" he said.

Bill Wenzel, Grand County commissioner, and other speakers described multiple local infrastructure priorities: recapture dam issues where a spring under the highway has repeatedly damaged pavement, aging dams on the statewide assessment list that may require retrofits, and local cities seeking funding for secondary-water-system improvements.

Participants described an ongoing shortage of funding for dam safety and infrastructure: state dam-safety and infrastructure lists have many projects and limited available grant money. Several members encouraged coordinated applications to state and federal programs and suggested the watershed council elevate specific projects via the state water plan and the state's water infrastructure lists.

Discussion also addressed ways to retain episodic flood flows for local benefit. Attendees proposed a range of localized measures including additional stock ponds, wildlife guzzlers and multi-purpose retention ponds to slow high flows and help recharge local supplies while keeping livestock away from streambanks.

Other local updates: Leticia, identified at the meeting as water-resource director for the Ute Mountain Ute (as introduced), said she is working with White Mesa community members on a water-rights settlement and will soon contact interested parties. County and municipal representatives reported continued efforts to find funding for Monticello City's secondary-water system and said Spanish Valley remains a focus for infrastructure improvement.

Why it matters: completed diversion and bank protection work and targeted infrastructure upgrades reduce short-term supply risk and protect public roads and property. Local officials said these projects are time-sensitive given low snowpack and rising frequency of extreme weather events.

Next steps: council members agreed to collate project lists for the state water plan survey and to follow up on requests for materials (riprap) and invitations to work with state agencies on dam safety and infrastructure funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Southeastern Watershed Council 04:16:25","oneSentenceSummary","Council members used the April 14 meeting to report local infrastructure needs and water-supply concerns as snowpack and inflows lag typical averages.","taxTitle","Utah Watersheds Council, Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Utah Executive Branch, Utah","taxId",66170,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236720,"State water plan manager asks local watershed councils for input, sets tight timeline to December 2026",1339,327000,1666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d&start=327&end=1666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d/thumbnail_327000.jpg","/articles/6236720/Utah/State-water-plan-manager-asks-local-watershed-councils-for-input-sets-tight-timeline-to-December-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236720-62d82fd6b36b4f8ce3203b762be7e5a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771362723&Signature=NnRQWlrCjL0nDMjsH5N8bOi-8TJeyc4n389bcHrmcy~HrMtIt0w~pdAbOZHXa6LjpZ9Hz3gPkx-761bgqJk7aYLJDtb7Fx9CAAR8gKGI3Myvi~jXCppm7TQookLeR5xoovJ29SeO11N2vLduesSl1ZTO3Wvqdq~OpPDtyJ4hG0Io5q-X3ZxI6~Hp6VaOR2F740TvyVwRTJrfwr8KZMtm7L3HvIuX2hrxowZ-5opEGsSsmbFCdhphjF7XTW8oppZXLHmAIKijitP4MbqzNMQoOrOV4dd0K0Uxt5fJ4T~IDoBFYRd62qFhkKL8uyjQs1BlwtiGVtwLagIjUFK7ThC-iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steph McGinnis, state water plan manager for the Utah Division of Water Resources, told the Southeastern Utah Watershed Council on April 14 that the state is revising its water plan and needs input from local watershed councils.

McGinnis said the plan is now governed by House Bill 280 from the 2024 legislative session and that the state must update the plan \"no less frequently than every 10 years,\" while the division's internal goal is to update about every five years. \"I wish we had 5 years, but we'll have a completed plan by December of 20 26,\" she said.

The council was asked to expect a short survey in the coming weeks that will collect local issues, needs and possible projects. McGinnis said each local watershed council will have about two to three pages allocated in the final document; those pages should highlight local problems, proposed solutions and at least one local project or success story the council wants elevated to the state level.

McGinnis outlined the schedule she is working toward: a survey release within weeks, public scoping meetings in each basin in late summer and early fall, a first-draft circulated in December 2025 for review, and a target for publication in December 2026. She emphasized the plan's limited real estate — the draft is targeted at roughly 50 pages statewide — and asked councils to be strategic about what they ask the state to highlight.

The manager requested two light commitments from the council: (1) a small subgroup to help review survey results and \"elevate common themes\" into concise topics; and (2) local assistance to identify suitable venues, dates and local representation for basin-level public scoping meetings. McGinnis said she would welcome council members who \"love to write\" but stressed that the main task would be a short review conversation rather than heavy drafting.

Council members discussed logistics and representation for public scoping meetings. McGinnis suggested two scoping sessions for the region might be appropriate and said she would coordinate with local water districts and conservancy districts to reach broader local audiences. She also offered printed outlines of the plan and invited members to request paper copies.

Why it matters: the state water plan is a tool the division will use to brief legislators, prioritize funding and identify technical needs across basins. McGinnis told the council that locally framed items in the plan could help make the case for funding and other support at the state level.

Next steps: council members will receive the survey and have the opportunity to respond as a council and to distribute it to local stakeholders where appropriate. The council agreed to identify volunteers to review survey results and to work with division staff on scoping meeting logistics.","Steph McGinnis, state water plan manager for the Utah Division of Water Resources, told the Southeastern Utah Watershed Council on April 14 that the state is revising its water plan and needs input from local watershed councils.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236717,"Division of Water Rights summarizes recent bills on water rights, brine mining, metering and river commissioners",2618,1698000,4316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d&start=1698&end=4316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355577-28b8c1a06a61c7b1d8d64543975deb1d/thumbnail_1698000.jpg","/articles/6236717/Utah/Division-of-Water-Rights-summarizes-recent-bills-on-water-rights-brine-mining-metering-and-river-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236717-4f07970531ec5a4ec1c99741118f280c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771362723&Signature=O5Zja8mgifPLO6lGHmNiNnDkd7AmvjG59V~A8xy18jaKwseSM9k12W42P~g~HVHKsqNmeNs1LgusS7U4rzaa~GaXgrlnu8B4PhvEJu3WkdgqXyAE6Sw3Bz4vBOvEq4D9kRBUf-1tQcoi0fdjYFWC~VDMEdD-dn9y1QacFZF3n1Pyxj30FI9mwX3BgmH2ZPC1q2xRrXMFJIcLF3xlv5ycRgVhrAolP0xw6pxhMDVkft3hhqHw5GxAzDDedNLBBmQPl0Tbw00fP44L54caR8BlW1-C6zCWGQOHE2Pdm6QBADaqnjj3p1SYr00Zo9FkP8lCZ9c0ri0f9~bkyGNFlKqy1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cash Stallings, regional engineer for the Utah Division of Water Rights, gave the Southeastern Utah Watershed Council a legislative briefing on April 14 that summarized about 10 bills and one budget appropriation the division is tracking.

Stallings said the session produced multiple clarifying amendments and new statutory frameworks that have direct application to the region. He described several items as follows:

- State water policy amendments: clarified the role of watershed activities and emphasized groundwater quality and sensible wastewater reuse.

- Water-right application amendments: tightened deadlines and clarified when water rights lapse, how they may be reinstated and the state engineer's authority, including potential reduction of priority dates when reinstated.

- Livestock watering and nonuse filings: removed an older livestock-watering certificate category, created a pathway for permittees to file nonuse applications to protect water portions during temporary nonuse, and provided statutory clarity for certain federal reserve-style claims (sometimes tied to an executive order the presenter identified from 1927) so the state engineer knows the geographic and volumetric limits of those claims before they are filed.

- Water transfer amendments (House Bill 89): eliminated the ability to transfer shares of irrigation companies by a simple affidavit; transfer documentation must exceed an affidavit to be recognized.

- Water-rights restricted account (House Bill 174): created or clarified funding for legal counsel so the state engineer can access legal advice beyond adjudication-only counsel.

- Agricultural Water Optimization amendments: increased grant funding levels to cover up to 75% of cost for specific project types (subsurface drip irrigation, automated surge irrigation, and measurement/telemetry) instead of earlier lower cost shares.

- Watershed and river-commission changes (House Bill 311): resolved human-resources issues around payment and supervision of river commissioners so distribution boards can continue to manage commissioner compensation; the law also removed a statute that had prevented the state's water agent from participating in multistate river negotiations.

- Brine-mining framework: established a new regulatory framework and clarified roles for the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining and the Division of Water Rights for applications to extract brine (including lithium), addressing royalties, water withdrawal and permitting procedures.

- Electronic signatures: removed the remaining statutory requirement for a wet signature on one division form so water-rights forms can now be signed electronically.

Stallings also described a budget decision to add three full-time positions to the WaterRight Network team to build out mapping and data services for the Great Salt Lake Basin; the network aims to provide an interactive public interface showing diversions, conveyance systems, places of use and recent diversion records.

On metering and tiered rates, Stallings reviewed a contentious bill (House Bill 274) that would have expanded secondary-metering requirements and required tiered rates for secondary water in certain counties. The bill did not pass this session, but Stallings described the debate: meters and tiered rates can reduce use, but for irrigation systems with large agricultural users a blanket tiered rate could be economically disruptive and raise equity concerns for mixed-use systems.

On groundwater management and curtailment, Stallings reiterated that under current statute the state engineer's principal tool for administering shortages is priority-based curtailment (\"first in time, first in right\"). He noted statute also allows a groundwater management plan when a third of water rights by volume petition for one and that groundwater-management plans generally create management committees and lead times for changes.

Stallings cautioned that some projects and applications remain in court or under de novo review, so he could not comment on specific pending applications. \"I can't really speak much to that application specifically because it's currently in de novo review,\" he said.

Why it matters: the bills clarify procedures for applicants, change funding priorities for conservation projects, create regulation for brine mining, and assign new duties for data mapping and legal counsel — all items that affect local water providers, irrigation companies and county planning.

Next steps: Stallings said his office will continue outreach as data services expand and to support water-rights processing; local providers should expect requests for data and mapping collaboration from the WaterRight Network team.","Cash Stallings, regional engineer for the Utah Division of Water Rights, gave the Southeastern Utah Watershed Council a legislative briefing on April 14 that summarized about 10 bills and one budget appropriation the division is tracking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council members flag dam repairs, retention ponds and conservation as region faces low water

State water plan manager asks local watershed councils for input, sets tight timeline to December 2026

Division of Water Rights summarizes recent bills on water rights, brine mining, metering and river commissioners