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Uintah County approves 107-acre easement for American Gilsonite with added well-specific language
Summary
The county approved an easement granting American Gilsonite access across a 107-acre parcel to operate existing wells; commissioners requested and added language referencing water-well licensing to limit implied uses.
Vernal, Utah — The Uintah County Commission voted May 13 to approve a recorded easement granting American Gilsonite access to county-owned land in Ignacio, a parcel described in the meeting materials as approximately 107 acres.
Skyler Cargill, representing American Gilsonite, and county staff described the agreement as an easement to formalize access to wells, roads and structures the company has used for operations. County staff member Greg Galecki said the easement documents reflect long-standing use going back to 1958 and include prescriptive rights tied to well operation.
Commissioners raised a concern that the easement, as drafted, described the entire 107-acre parcel and could be read as granting broad access across the whole parcel. Commissioners asked staff to clarify the scope so the county does not unintentionally convey rights beyond operating the identified wells and supporting infrastructure.
County staff proposed adding language that ties the easement uses to the water wells as licensed or evidenced by the Utah Division of Water Rights, rather than listing individual legal descriptions for every well. Commissioners accepted that change; the motion approved by the commission specified access related to the county’s 19 water wells and referenced licensing with the Utah Division of Water Rights.
The commission authorized finalization of the easement with the added language and electronic signature; staff said they would attach well documentation as appropriate.
Details recorded: parcel size ~107 acres; staff cited about 19 wells on the parcel and said other users (including a separate leaseholder who runs livestock) also access parts of the property. The easement requires prior written county consent for improvements beyond the prescribed uses.
