Former federal officials urge Utah to commit to Central Utah Project completion

Former federal officials told the Utah State Senate on Feb. 19 that the state must make an unmistakable, early commitment to its cost share for the Central Utah Project (CUP) if Utah expects federal appropriations to continue.

Former U.S. Senator Jake Garn and Wayne Owens addressed the Senate in a Committee of the Whole hearing on SB207, the bill addressing Central Utah Project cost‑share funding. Garn, recounting decades of involvement with the project, said delays and cost overruns had been caused in part by mismanagement and that the state should not suffer ‘‘timidity’’ in meeting its share. ‘‘We must come up with our share,’’ Garn said, urging an absolute commitment from the legislature so that ‘‘no one in Washington can say, ‘maybe they didn’t mean it.’’’

Wayne Owens, who helped rewrite the federal reauthorization, told senators the CUP Completion Act had been structured to balance fiscal and environmental concerns and to make the project a model for future water work. Owens said the legislation permits Utah to use its share of Colorado River water and, if the state and governor commit, it would ‘‘guarantee water for Utah’s economic growth and our environmental quality improvement.’'

Why this matters: Witnesses said federal appropriators are watching for clear state mechanisms that show Utah will meet the statutory cost‑share. Without such signals, federal funding can be delayed or lost; once a project falls out of an appropriation cycle it is difficult to reenter.

What senators asked and how witnesses responded

Senators repeatedly pressed for technical specifics: whether a first‑year cash payment plus a legislative resolution of support would satisfy federal reviewers; whether a partial commitment would be enough; and whether the proposed financing could jeopardize transportation or other state funds.

Garn and Owens said a first‑year cash flow mechanism plus a strong legislative and gubernatorial commitment would likely be adequate, but cautioned that the Interior Department’s interpretation and the appropriation committees ultimately control the outcome. Garn said some project elements might be deferred if they prove economically infeasible, but insisted that the legislature ‘‘must not lose the opportunity to assure the federal government that we will come up with our share and complete this project.’'

Fiscal and program context

Witnesses referenced the allocation discussed in the hearing: roughly a proposed 35% state share for project costs with the federal government providing about 65%; Owens also noted that the reauthorization substituted roughly $150 million of environmental repairs for $350 million of new water starts. During separate floor debate on public‑employee accounts, senators referenced funds and program scales: one senator said the state retirement fund has a present value of about $5,000,000,000 and the public‑employees health program manages more than $100,000,000 — context senators used to weigh fiscal risk when discussing new boards or commitments.

Next steps and uncertainties

Senators asked for a clear funding mechanism. Several senators said they would wait for the governor’s meeting with the Interior Department and for any revised fiscal notes and clarifications before taking final action. The sponsor moved to return SB207 to its place on second reading and to keep the bill active while negotiations continue. The Committee of the Whole was dissolved after the testimony.

The Senate did not adopt a final financing plan on Feb. 19; senators and witnesses agreed that an upfront cash commitment for the first year plus a publicly unmistakable legislative and gubernatorial commitment would be the minimum needed to convince federal appropriators to fund subsequent phases.

Quote: ‘‘We must come up with our share,’’ Garn said, adding that ‘‘there is no doubt this water is incredibly valuable to this state.’'

Ending: The sponsor moved to place SB207 back on the second‑reading calendar to allow follow‑up with the governor and the Interior Department; the committee of the whole ended and the Senate proceeded to other business.