House backs resolution supporting Narrows Water Project after debate on studies and costs

House Concurrent Resolution 8, which urges federal and federal‑partner attention to the Narrows Water Project in Central Utah, passed the House after a substantive floor debate over environmental review and project costs.

Sponsor Representative Bradley Wynne said the resolution seeks to communicate Utah’s support to the Bureau of Reclamation and Congress and noted that the project has been studied ‘‘over and over again’’ by engineering firms and state actors. He said the project ‘‘has been studied for almost a century’’ and that the resolution is intended as a nonbinding message to move the long‑delayed project forward.

Opponents warned the resolution glosses over outstanding environmental and cost questions. Representative King, who said he was not a cosponsor, objected that the resolution describes the Narrows project as the ‘‘least expensive, most cost effective, most environmentally sound’’ option without the cost‑benefit analyses to substantiate that claim. Other members raised compliance questions with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the need for an EIS when federal lands are affected.

Proponents said the resolution is not an appropriation and will not bypass required environmental reviews; Representative Draxler said cost‑benefit and environmental studies ‘‘will be done’’ and the resolution simply signals the state’s intent to support the project. Representative Noel argued water rights and the state engineer’s authority remain central and that federal reviews will occur as required.

The House voted to approve HCR8 by a 57–14 margin and forwarded the resolution to the Senate.