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Local watershed council member reports state council activity, legislative subcommittee and state water-plan involvement
Summary
A council representative summarized recent State Watershed Council meetings, the creation of a legislative subcommittee to examine changes to the Watershed Councils Act, reminders about required Open and Public Meetings Act training, and forthcoming engagement on the state water plan and Great Salt Lake issues.
A representative to the State Watershed Council updated the local watershed council on two recent state meetings, the formation of a legislative subcommittee and expected engagement for the state water plan.
The representative said the state council met Oct. 9 in Salt Lake City and again at a later meeting hosted by a conservancy district. "There was a good presentation by Marcel Chu, who is the executive director of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust," the representative said, adding the presentation emphasized "protecting, enhancing water flows into the Great Salt Lake." The state council also heard first reports from several local watershed councils and discussed invasive-species concerns.
The update said the state council organized a legislative subcommittee to examine suggested changes to the Watershed Councils Act and to provide input during the coming legislative session. "The proposed motion was for chairman Paxman to appoint a standing committee from this council to address suggested changes to the Watershed Councils Act and to also serve to provide input and counsel during the legislative session," the representative reported, summarizing the Oct. 9 minutes.
The representative reminded council members that the Watershed Councils Act and related guidance require Open and Public Meetings Act training for state and local council members. "The act requires this open, public meetings act training for not only state council members, but local council members," the representative said, and offered to circulate the online training link through staff.
The state meetings also discussed the state water plan and a water infrastructure fund study. The representative said the state water plan work will be an ongoing topic; the legislature has asked for a new plan with updates every five years, and the division is preparing outreach and an outline. The local council agreed to invite the state water-plan manager to the April meeting to present an outline and gather feedback.
Why it matters: the state council channels local watershed information to the legislature and to the state water-planning process. The legislative subcommittee can influence statutory language that governs watershed council membership and duties, and the state water plan could affect future project priorities and funding.
The representative gave members the schedule for upcoming state council meetings (April 10, July 10 and Oct. 7) and encouraged local members to prepare a report for the April meeting.
