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Senate approves $425,000 study for Bear River development, amid debate over Salt Lake County items
Summary
The Utah Senate on Jan. 15 approved a $425,000 appropriation from the Bear River Development Fund to study enlargement of the Hyrum reservoir, conveyance and reuse options and related feasibility work. Lawmakers debated whether $80,000 earmarked for Salt Lake County secondary-water study belongs in the bill.
A divided Utah Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 19, a $425,000 package drawn from the Bear River Development Fund to pay for feasibility studies aimed at developing Bear River water resources.
Senator Fred Finlayson, sponsor and committee chair, told colleagues the appropriation funds a set of matching studies that prioritize an enlargement of the existing reservoir at Hyrum Dam and feasibility work on conveying Bear River flows to Cache and Box Elder counties. "The total of that appropriation is $425,000," Finlayson said on the floor, adding that the money will come from the Bear River Development Fund established last year.
The bill divides the $425,000 across several studies and preliminary work, Finlayson said: a portion for evaluating a Hyrum transmission system and reservoir enlargement, a study of a possible canal to pick up high flows from the Blacksmith Fork and store them in Hyrum, and a matching grant to examine secondary‑use systems (for example lawn‑and‑garden systems) in the Salt Lake area. Many of the items require local matching contributions by conservancy districts.
Senator Richards moved to delete an $80,000 item that would fund a Salt Lake County lawn‑and‑garden/secondary‑water study, arguing the Bear River Development account should be spent on projects within the Bear River basin and that Utah Lake water or other local options should be handled separately. "Bear River project funds should which have been earmarked for that purpose, should be spent for that purpose," Richards said.
Senator Finlayson and other backers urged the Senate to retain the Salt Lake study. They argued federal permitting for diversions (including Corps of Engineers 404 wetlands permits) requires evaluation of alternative water supplies and that Salt Lake County's participation — on a matching basis — helps determine whether Bear River development is necessary. "You've got to look at alternative water supplies," Finlayson said, adding that the committee recommended the staged approach to avoid premature investment in costly infrastructure.
Supporters described the measure as an initial planning step to protect water rights and evaluate the least‑cost options before large capital projects begin. Opponents said the Salt Lake component is peripheral and should be funded separately.
After debate, the motion to amend (delete the Salt Lake item) failed, and the Senate adopted the bill. Senator Peterson declared a potential conflict of interest due to his employment in engineering but voted aye. The final roll call showed 24 ayes, no nays and 5 absent; the bill was placed on the third‑reading calendar.
What happens next: SB 19 proceeds toward final enactment steps; the appropriation funds are designated for planning and feasibility, with several elements contingent on local matching funds and subsequent design and permitting work.
