County advisory panel reviews recent state engineer water applications, including 8.3 acre‑foot Lions Club request at Lamoille Campground

Commission staff updated the Natural Resources Management Advisory Commission on recent water‑rights filings with the State Engineer, citing change applications related to Gold Standard Ventures' South Railroad activity, vested claim filings by Litter Ranch LLC and a new appropriation application filed by a local Lions Club for water at the Lamoille Campground.

Curtis, a county staff member who presented the item, said the Lions Club application requested 8.3 acre‑feet and described the proposed use as irrigation for landscaping in that area. Meeting discussion noted uncertainty about basin boundaries and whether the application lies within the Dixie Creek 10‑mile basin or an adjacent basin; commissioners said the State Engineer will determine whether to approve or protest the appropriation.

Why it matters: groundwater and surface‑water appropriations can affect local water availability, permitting and future development in recreation and service areas. Commissioners said the application did not appear, from the county’s initial review, to trigger an automatic protest but that the State Engineer’s office will make the official determination.

No formal county action was recorded on the filings during the meeting. The commission’s conversation was limited to clarifying basin boundaries, acreage and timing; one participant observed that the 8.3 acre‑foot request was modest and that the basin is not over‑appropriated. The presenter said the county will monitor State Engineer outcomes and that residents or stakeholders may file protests in accordance with state procedures.

Ending: Commissioners advised staff to watch for formal notices from the State Engineer and suggested they will re‑examine any application that the commission or public chooses to protest.