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Utah House backs resolutions and bill to protect state water rights, citing federal disputes
Summary
Lawmakers passed a joint resolution and a water-rights bill after members urged protections for ranchers and rural users who say federal agencies have threatened or clouded longstanding water rights. Supporters highlighted thousands of federal diligence filings and recent fires as reasons to study state jurisdiction.
Representative Matthew H. Ivory, sponsor of HJR 14 and House Bill 166, told colleagues the measures aim to protect beneficial users of water from federal actions that can 'cloud' title and limit access. "We have our eye on them," Ivory said when describing the resolution's purpose to put federal agencies on notice about state water jurisdiction.
The House first took up House Joint Resolution 14, which Ivory described as a response to reports that the U.S. Forest Service had told some permittees they would not renew grazing permits unless water rights were signed…
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