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Emery County accepts donation of roughly 320 acres near Woodside under conservation restriction
Summary
Donors offered to convey about 320 acres near Woodside, including surface, subsurface and water rights, under a conservation restriction that prevents mining; the commission voted to accept the donation and discussed recording costs, water‑right details and potential grazing leases.
Emery County commissioners voted on Dec. 17 to accept a donation of roughly 320 acres near Woodside intended to remain in open or agricultural condition under a conservation restriction that would preserve subsurface coal and convey associated water rights to the county.
Parker Hilton and attorney Jeff Whitehead presented the offer and told commissioners the parcels include both surface and subsurface rights and an attached conservation restriction. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the land could be grazed or used for recreational or agricultural purposes, the nature and number of associated water rights (participants mentioned irrigation rights and an ELU equivalency in the discussion), and the estimated recording fees for the conveyance (donor estimated roughly $10,800 — staff said costs could be higher depending on documents). County counsel and recorder staff said the donor will assist with perfecting water rights and that the county's conveyance documents will require review before recording.
Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the donation. They discussed options to lease grazing rights to offset the small loss of tax revenue and directed county staff to record the conveyance and coordinate with the donor on transferring water rights and other conveyance tasks.
The accepted donation is expected to preserve the parcels from development and mining and may provide opportunities for limited agricultural use or public‑access options, subject to the conservation terms and any subsequent lease arrangements.
