[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6174554,"mediaKeyId","5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c","parentId",5369772,"title","Utah Watersheds Council readies legislative review, forms subcommittee and flags member appointment issues","audioSeconds",740,"startMs",4920000,"endMs",5660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c&start=4920&end=5660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174554/Utah/Utah-Watersheds-Council-readies-legislative-review-forms-subcommittee-and-flags-member-appointment-issues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174554-421790a0733eb037033c30a07a7299aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050656&Signature=CqbPUopdY97lpFl9HlS9lwc4CmJvxiHZKlLs9tFVVAKI3GZokUbgUiDdrA3QcxyF3Fk-DnUILBiqnOQsGmZMDk4-YODTiIujaJc2e60QtnozgQldXFhgPJE4ouROzTb74yj~advdE4ltC8WJE8Q5gKxfvoDnLZyfYjjuoyxCiuZCbRtoqGuRyEgWbQ~ZRAgMBUnyrfnv9hB~k2uMq7JMJJSZpExdvpDq0RakplSD-e3RyQKthNo40xt-wNO5btWGmdwbkKi3JjpEt1H405bFFBZng05MvPF7cjMSIhFf3s~PL9MtWGL1sgl9p5UMukqkYlXXzs6QaR72WgxnSQ6YUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah Watersheds Council","date","2025-07-11T09:10:00Z","article","Council members discussed the statutory review directed by the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee and agreed to prepare materials and convene a legislative subcommittee to meet before the September 30 review deadline.

Warren Peterson read the statute language requiring the interim committee to begin its review by Oct. 1, 2024 and finish before Sept. 30, 2025, and to report recommendations (including proposed legislation) to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2026. The review must address whether the councils’ public purposes remain relevant, the degree to which councils have operated in the public interest and whether they serve as valuable stakeholder forums.

The council set a date for its legislative subcommittee to meet on August 12 at 10:00 a.m. and invited additional council members to participate. Members discussed several administrative issues for inclusion in the review materials: whether quarterly state council meetings are necessary versus semiannual meetings, and complaints that per diem/mileage requests from council members in some rural areas were denied when round trips were less than 90 miles despite significant travel burdens. Members noted that many rural participants travel multiple days to attend meetings and asked staff to follow up on specific per diem/mileage examples.

Secretary and staff items: the council reviewed upcoming term expirations for state council members (several terms expire Dec. 31) and clarified reappointment paths (local watershed councils reappoint their members; a small number require governor or association appointments). The council asked staff to gather specific examples of mileage/per diem denials for follow‑up and to circulate the statutory review materials to local councils for input ahead of the subcommittee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Utah Watersheds Council 7/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council discussed a mandated interim committee review of the Watershed Council Act, set a subcommittee meeting, and raised administrative issues including term expirations and per diem/mileage concerns for rural members.","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},6174560,"Weber River council highlights erosion, grazing restoration projects and concerns about large developments",490,4069000,4559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c&start=4069&end=4559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c/thumbnail_4069000.jpg","/articles/6174560/Utah/Weber-River-council-highlights-erosion-grazing-restoration-projects-and-concerns-about-large-developments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174560-da98b76fab38f6673ac8757cbfd55994/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050656&Signature=LiVDI~7gt3oVqStVQvVtl7QmUTsuZqxCwspQSkQCvs0YhYVATMamkMLrHwYWSbhn8xBJzECxh3cXDy7M-ZJR1ofOOKz7WS0QT76Vl6LXqq7byThR5rypqSh6skVFguhMxBvDrOrg1oyC4uWr51R-zigsh~bcn0k-q7J-Drdo~K2kB4LG~z1Ad2zyR9AuxgDanNcgxpzpu8ihc2i~MexV6NX~GANbCcWplKmSuFx7b5PLZYdYt40RXtzIQJDH25l0jxkGnRgEcEOgVt01HEURTGXdOwDeqB9kWCj8i3VPfxNOjojY1qwABk7mQ9XNgl1lZJAUSyJDNVQ-0GJ45DzEsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McKinley Smoot reported for the Weber River Watershed Council on recent site visits, restoration projects and water‑quality concerns.

Council members toured the Weber–Provo canal diversion point and infrastructure used by the Provo River Water Users Association. They also visited 3 Springs Land and Livestock to see holistic planned grazing demonstrations and discussed how managed grazing can reduce riparian impacts when animals are placed with appropriate timing and management.

The council heard from SageLine Collaborative about Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) projects and restoration work in Echo Creek (referred to at points as Echo Creek/East Canyon area). Smoot described severe erosion issues in Echo Creek that cause high turbidity during runoff and discussed a recent Weber Water Conservancy District water treatment TOC event that forced temporary treatment changes; the source was not definitively identified but Echo Creek and winter grazing were discussed as possibilities.

Members flagged a large, multi‑thousand‑acre proposed development (referred to in council discussion as \"9 Springs\") that is a focal point of local concern because of perceived ability to obtain approvals that bypass some municipal or county processes; the council has drafted a comprehensive letter expressing watershed concerns and plans to distribute it. The council also raised illegal diversions and measurement gaps as ongoing challenges and suggested engaging conservation districts to work with agricultural producers on best practices.

The Weber council plans to coordinate more closely with the long‑standing Weber River Partnership, attend its annual conference and meet biannually with the partnership to align projects and concerns. The council encouraged local conservation district participation and suggested the Partnership’s January conference as a venue for technical exchange.","The Weber River Watershed Council reported tours of diversion infrastructure, examples of managed grazing and restoration projects to reduce erosion in tributaries; members flagged a large development (referred to as 9 Springs) and concerns about illegal diversions and measurement.",{"_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},6174564,"Utah Lake council pushes monitoring and phragmites control; seeks partnerships and modest funding",588,2743000,3331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c&start=2743&end=3331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c/thumbnail_2743000.jpg","/articles/6174564/Utah/Utah-Lake-council-pushes-monitoring-and-phragmites-control-seeks-partnerships-and-modest-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174564-a0ef364f1cf58bcb750580ced2ca378a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050656&Signature=MPX3DiUDs3vQjZa5V6SOnLJhG8jyU7KixAyfNb6u6mOCXEk308NQOY4FKq1ruI8JXDPzkO5F-86SDy6G9E2KuL~hMBFJUejJ05YY1dkJKIHIsGjSvpFCib9RxRKNSTBYd~CH5tDpZRqlwkH5NrSgKtB~dVW16fyBwL7Ne9cufYGP~1FY4KNo-SfBz251-ZA5t~3nx-reBfNkzDqL18KdArow4IOHCoxOsFgqTl6HCg63ut7kDjEUa9csUQQ45fWf1UMPsPV2BXXZReZ3wVrFUR04eyzoHqOt4VELry2F2B3l3fV7UIx01TSjGmegoxfvTNPT38Uo6OUiiuUHouKJXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe Crawford, chair of the Utah Lake Watershed Council, reported that the council is shifting from initial information‑gathering field trips toward implementing priorities such as phragmites control, canal company engagement and water quality monitoring.

The council spent its first year on many field trips and relationship‑building; in year two members developed a near‑final mission and vision and are identifying practical next steps. The council’s priorities include convening experts (panel or lunch‑and‑learn format), coordinating with canal companies for data and infrastructure knowledge, examining microplastics, and addressing phragmites infestations around Utah Lake and in inflowing sloughs and tributaries.

Crawford and other speakers emphasized monitoring after recent wastewater plant upgrades. Council members suggested deploying sondes (multiparameter sensors) at treatment plant outflows to gather continuous conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature baselines rather than relying solely on sporadic grab samples. Laura Briefer (Jordan River Watershed Council staff) described sondes as an efficient first step for baseline monitoring. The council noted limited funds and asked for help identifying small grants or pilot funds to deploy monitoring equipment.

On phragmites, Department of Natural Resources representatives at the meeting said a sustained, multi‑year approach is required and that grazing (managed cattle grazing) can be effective because it reduces seed set and biomass; DNR staff said phragmites management has reduced stands on the lake by roughly 80% in some areas where sustained treatment and restoration have occurred. Council members from adjacent watersheds offered to coordinate on upstream sloughs and channels because phragmites dispersal and reestablishment often occur from connected tributaries.

The council plans to pursue panel sessions, invite canal companies to share data, coordinate with other watershed councils (Jordan River, Great Salt Lake) on phragmites and monitoring, and seek modest funding sources to pilot sensors and other small projects. The council requested contact support; Crawford asked watershed councils to coordinate and said they will reach out to subject‑matter experts and relevant agencies.","The Utah Lake Watershed Council reported fieldwork and new focus areas including invasive phragmites control, sensor monitoring after wastewater upgrades and outreach to canal companies, and requested assistance coordinating expertise and small‑scale funding.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6174569,"Bear River Watershed Council reports tours, economic study and Logan River projects",530,1688000,2218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c&start=1688&end=2218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c/thumbnail_1688000.jpg","/articles/6174569/Utah/Bear-River-Watershed-Council-reports-tours-economic-study-and-Logan-River-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174569-81ac3e74fc4bbc567d6829a24ddeeae2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050656&Signature=nAdPMWzgYAOsMYraGVt1SP~8HHn~YDdeMoxIOMxbcXFSLyQiFkVNE0GSKsHT~kmC8qmEkOsnV4FTdPm3EdhHsOFFvz1HRZmLD7T~cCgtCb4CM~9cpazfuhaBlFpqJ1eDJIqgpJcteDxSmvsVRfAsfch8dqSL1YeghJR87dshpYKRyfAgOIIxejbOt1Zj~VLsMIPEKq7kRoG2IeBVMYJtB57w9RwbuFzpiBn-NPmXBV8RCl1SpyEJDGlXpfSAKoD~DvcQ~nz5uDFQdDz2F6CZfHYTEDf3WRVHQ5am3x1Clf-td47fFlHYqVpVcO-TIRPFgLkRrpwpAXpGjdSLwvMPqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Hurd, chair of the Bear River Watershed Council, reported on the council’s recent activities including two field tours, an economic impact study and coordination on the Logan River Watershed Project.

The council toured Cutler Dam operations, hosted by Rocky Mountain Power, to better understand reservoir operations and impacts on Bear River flows. A second tour focused on Bear Lake infrastructure — Stewart Dam, lift and pump stations, Mud Lake and the Bear Lake Outlet Canal — to see how inflow and discharge are managed. Hurd said the visits included students and local stakeholders and drew media coverage.

Hurd summarized regional context: the Bear River flows through three states, supports irrigated agriculture on an estimated 850,000 acres across the basin (about 75% irrigated from Bear River or watershed sources), and contributes several billion dollars in economic impact across multiple industries, according to a collaborative economic study the council noted. Speakers clarified that Utah accounts for roughly 46–47% of the water use within the basin; the council intends follow‑up to better define cross‑border acreage and use.

On mineral extraction, council members who toured Lilac Solutions’ pilot lithium extraction site at the north end of Great Salt Lake said the technology is designed for minimal lake depletion and could produce substantial lithium at scale; the council discussed potential royalty streams that would be directed to Great Salt Lake management under recent legislation. Council members noted the Sovereign Lands Management account currently receives about $8–11 million a year from existing royalties and fees.

Hurd described the Logan River Watershed Project and the Crockett Avenue diversion, which serves multiple canal companies and communities in the Logan area. The council said the environmental impact study due this fall will inform choices among options — repair, replace or relocate the diversion — and noted one likely direction is piping open‑channel canals and providing pressurized delivery for secondary water users to reduce culinary demand. The project would affect several cities and multiple canal companies and is expected to change outdoor irrigation delivery in affected service areas.

The Bear River council plans to meet in October and expects an environmental report on the Logan River project to be available then. Hurd invited questions and said the council will continue outreach and coordination with stakeholders.","The Bear River Watershed Council described recent field tours of Cutler Dam and Bear Lake facilities, an economic impact study of the basin and planning work on the Logan River Watershed Project including options to pipe canals and pressurize delivery.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6174575,"State outlines Unified Water Infrastructure Plan, fee study to fund billions in water needs",1410,263000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c&start=263&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5369772-1bdfbc9021ff4c6232992d1135c3dc8c/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6174575/Utah/State-outlines-Unified-Water-Infrastructure-Plan-fee-study-to-fund-billions-in-water-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174575-5bda09583b7eec47fb268dca04de6537/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050656&Signature=jceQA6yhrK9p5m0fa8ldN6ykc0XhFKRXmAGS2R3aQrx4Lohan9MmMEoUzEMiQKvMhons7p5baRAJUqksWa16znKvaaB0dhK-LHZTbd4UlQqpL3hZza-BXU3t76okXdAlHYJk7EL5rDYIfQ6r7cIJRnBn5ESkbaLGs26Ljx46B9GIHscGUmzp~MHw1-mqg77nicLvcNqrtXzLMhln5I3azhyGAoYILwB14-uncT768yiXkxmw5bWcTDb4Wnev6lLEu2lTNSJk3YQDzwJXNSpEjDJW3VrlLm7GsiG93Xs7bkjaD0Rtw5ChSkZaBj7F16GLYDQYT9JDge2WDJd-F~H~TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shalane DeBernardi, assistant director at the Division of Water Resources, presented an overview of the Unified Water Infrastructure Plan and an accompanying fee study during the Utah Watersheds Council meeting. The presentation summarized statutory changes from last year and the schedule the state must meet under House Bill 280 to create a prioritized, multi‑year plan for water projects.

The plan matters because the state faces large long‑term costs for water infrastructure. DeBernardi said estimates show maintenance, expansion and new construction needs could total about $60,000,000,000 by 2060. House Bill 280 (2024) created a new Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) and directed the Water Development Coordinating Council to assemble a Unified Water Infrastructure Plan and to prioritize projects; subsequent legislation implemented some fund transfers and governance changes.

DeBernardi said agencies collected project submissions in a short application window and received nearly 3,700 project proposals from about 250 entities, with a combined estimated cost of roughly $17,500,000,000. Those project lists were divided among the three agencies identified by statute—drinking water, water quality and water resources—and initial plans were prepared by the June 30 statutory deadline. The Water Development Coordinating Council must compile those agency plans into the first UIP and provide a draft to the Utah Watersheds Council for advice before final adoption.

The presentation noted related statutory actions implemented by the 2025 Legislature. House Bill 285 moved some existing balances (for example, the old City Water Loan Fund) into the new Water Infrastructure Fund and adjusted which agencies must report fund status; the Division said UDAF and Housing and Community Development were removed from the list of agencies that must consolidate funds because their accounts fund projects beyond WIF eligibility.

A separate fee study — led by Zions Public Finance and required by statute — is evaluating whether a new user fee or tax is needed to provide ongoing revenue to the WIF. DeBernardi said the fee study work group includes a broad mix of providers (large and small, rural and urban), and the study is comparing current funding capacity to the identified project needs. The study is scheduled for completion this fall and will present options to the Legislature, including whether a new fee should be assessed and whether existing sales tax authority (the one‑sixteenth option) should be increased.

Council members asked whether the short application window created coverage gaps. DeBernardi and others said the primary gap was volume: many providers submitted projects but the state expects to open another submission period before the March 1 statutory deadline for the first UIP so entities that missed the first window can add projects. The presenters also noted the UIP process will change how state funds are awarded — entities able to self‑fund a project may not be prioritized for state dollars — and discussed how emergencies will be distinguished from lack of planning.

Next steps outlined by the Division include completing the fee study, finalizing prioritization rules and public‑comment processes, and coordinating public meetings and outreach (including using local watershed councils for input). The UIP must be substantially complete by March 1 of the year specified in statute, with project ranking by July 1 and the state water plan completed by the end of that year.

The Division encouraged watershed councils to provide comment on the UIP draft and said it is exploring a project portal so providers can keep project lists continually updated. DeBernardi asked watershed councils to contact her office (Shalane DeBernardi, Division of Water Resources) to coordinate local input.","The Division of Water Resources presented the new Unified Water Infrastructure Plan (UIP) timeline and an ongoing fee study after a 2024 law required proactive statewide planning and creation of a Water Infrastructure Fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utah Watersheds Council readies legislative review, forms subcommittee and flags member appointment issues

Weber River council highlights erosion, grazing restoration projects and concerns about large developments

Utah Lake council pushes monitoring and phragmites control; seeks partnerships and modest funding

Bear River Watershed Council reports tours, economic study and Logan River projects

State outlines Unified Water Infrastructure Plan, fee study to fund billions in water needs