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House floor rejects in‑stream flow leasing bill after heated debate over water rights and Endangered Species Act
Summary
Representatives debated Senate Bill 29, which would let groups lease water rights to leave water in stream segments for three cutthroat trout species with state approvals. Floor debate centered on downstream impacts, ESA implications and hydrology; the bill failed in a close vote, 36–32, and was filed.
The Utah House debated Senate Bill 29 on Feb. 14, a narrowly framed measure allowing nonprofit groups (for example, Trout Unlimited) to lease water rights and leave the water in a specified stream reach to improve habitat for three cutthroat trout species.
Sponsor Representative Buxton said the leases would cover a segment “from point of diversion to point of diversion” and require approval from both the Division of Wildlife Resources and…
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