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Tar Canyon water project moves forward pending wildlife survey and USDA award
Summary
Project staff reported USDA submission is otherwise complete but requires a biological assessment and Utah prairie‑dog survey for Fish and Wildlife Service concurrence; easement negotiations will begin and a $5 million community project funding award remains contingent on federal appropriation.
Speaker 5 presented a project timeline and Gantt chart for the Tar Canyon water supply project and said the USDA application is complete except for a required biological assessment and a Utah prairie‑dog survey. He said the nearest known colony is roughly half a mile south and was not occupied in 2024, but Fish and Wildlife Service preference is to survey in the species' active season beginning in April.
"We don't expect to find anything, but we need to complete the survey," Speaker 5 said, adding that Fish and Wildlife concurrence is the final missing piece for the USDA review. Once Fish and Wildlife and USDA concur, the city expects an award letter that would unlock federal funding and move construction forward.
Speaker 5 said staff is beginning easement negotiations with landowners; he estimated roughly one‑third to one‑half of necessary easements already aligned with the project and described property‑owner outreach as a near‑term priority.
On funding, Speaker 5 said Gunnison was awarded $5,000,000 in community project funding but noted "that bill still needs to pass for funding to be available" and recommended holding off major phase‑1 construction until the USDA award letter arrives. He said phase 1 (pipeline/transmission to the river) and phase 2 (drilling and well infrastructure) are separated primarily by funding source rather than construction sequence.
Speaker 5 also confirmed verbal communications that water rights were approved following an amended protest; staff reported they had not yet seen the follow‑up document in writing in the meeting packet.
No formal council action or vote was reported; staff committed to continue surveys, easement work, and grant/funding coordination and to return with award documentation when available.
