House approves $1.25M study to evaluate Bear River water options for the Wasatch Front

The Utah House voted to continue and fund technical studies into development of Bear River water resources and potential conveyance to the Wasatch Front.

Representative Olsen, the bill’s sponsor on the floor, said a Bear River task force recommended an appropriation (described in the debate as about $1.25 million, later noted as revised to $1.25 million in committee and the Senate amendment) to continue environmental assessments, core drilling and contract work needed to identify feasible dam and reservoir sites or alternative supplies. "They will assess the environmental impacts, and I'll tell you these are very, very strict and important environmental concerns involved with developing the Bear River and bringing 100,000 acre-feet to the Wasatch Front," Olsen said.

Members raised timing and cost concerns given the legislature’s calendar; supporters replied that certain field tests must begin in spring runoff and that not funding the work now would delay progress by a year or more. Representative Fuller and other task-force members described technical reasons—seasonal sampling and expensive fieldwork—why the appropriation was necessary to avoid long delays.

The chair announced the vote as 66 yes and no no votes; the bill passed and will be transmitted to the Senate. Sponsors said the appropriation had been included in supplemental appropriations and that the Governor supported the funding.

What’s next: The bill was passed on the floor and will be sent to the Senate. Debate emphasized environmental assessment requirements and the need to begin time-sensitive fieldwork.