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Bear River holds first readings on irrigation, business-license and grazing rules; council weighs streetlight costs
Summary
At the Sept. 9 workshop the council held first readings on an irrigation ordinance restricting alteration of irrigation water, an amendment to business-license rules, and discussed grazing/animal limits and conditional-use permits; members also flagged four Rocky Mountain Power street lights that could cost the town about $67.76/month.
The Bear River Town Council on Sept. 9 held first readings of several ordinances and debated how to translate long-standing local concerns into enforceable rules.
On irrigation, a first-reading ordinance was opened that would make it unlawful to "alter, block, dam, restrict, divert, or otherwise interfere with the flow of irrigation water or natural runoff in a manner that adversely affects any adjoining property owner." Speaker 1 read the proposed language and described a complaint-and-restoration enforcement process that would allow an affected landowner to file a complaint with the town; upon verification, the town could order the responsible party to restore flow or repair damage.
Council members and residents discussed how that language would apply to questions such as removing a burn or altering a levee. Speaker 1 said the additional clarifying sentence in the draft made him more comfortable that the town could act where a property owner’s change caused downstream flooding or loss of irrigation access.
The council also opened first reading of an amendment to the town’s business-license ordinance (referenced in the packet as a 2025 amendment). The changes update definitions and clarify that certain small, charitable or youth-run activities without employees remain exempt from licensing; the council noted fees were not raised for the year.
A lengthy discussion addressed grazing and animal numbers on private lots. Council members and commenters debated whether to set numerical limits (for example a baseline number of animals per acreage) or to continue using a conditional-use permit approach for larger operations. Concerns included overgrazing, visual "eyesores," and impacts to neighbors. Speaker 1 suggested a model in which modest numbers remain permitted by right and larger operations would require conditional-use review with stipulations such as permanent fencing and other site controls.
Separately, the council discussed four street lights served by Rocky Mountain Power that the town may be asked to assume. The figures discussed in the workshop were $16.94 per light per month, which for four lights would total $67.76 per month. Council members said they would follow up with Rocky Mountain Power and assess whether to accept responsibility for those charges.
All items were at first reading or in discussion; no final votes were recorded at the workshop. Council members directed staff and asked for on-the-ground reviews in some cases and said they would return these items for future readings and action.
