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Jordan River Commission briefs Davis County on watershed work, funding and trail safety concerns
Summary
Soren Simonson of the Jordan River Commission updated commissioners on watershed and trail work, recent Weed Management Fund grants, a new Watershed Council designation, and rising public‑safety issues on trails (ebikes, ATVs); Davis County’s annual contribution of $7,500 and requests for clearer invoicing were discussed.
Soren Simonson, director with the Jordan River Commission, told the Davis County Commission on Oct. 14 that the commission has broadened its regional work to include watershed management, invasive‑weed removal, trail connectivity and public‑safety guidance across the 51‑mile Jordan River corridor.
Simonson said the commission — formed by an interlocal agreement in 2010 following Envision Utah’s 2008 Blueprint Jordan River — was conditionally certified as a Watershed Council under the 2020 Watershed Council Act and became fully certified in January 2024. He said the commission now convenes 16 municipalities, three counties and state agency partners to coordinate restoration, trail development and water‑quality work.
Simonson outlined recent funding and programs: a permanent Jordan River Weed Management Fund provides roughly $250,000 annually that has been used to leverage federal grants, and the commission recently received about $1,000,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for targeted weed management. He said the commission coordinates volunteer restoration, signage and events such as the Get to the River festival and works to connect trails within the larger Golden Spoke network.
Commissioners and staff discussed public‑safety issues along the Jordan River Parkway and related trail systems. Simonson said the commission is receiving growing complaints about high‑speed e‑bikes, electrically powered boards and off‑road vehicles on dirt segments; he cited a recent incident in which an elderly woman in South Jordan was hospitalized after being struck by an e‑bike. The commission plans to explore public‑safety recommendations through its technical advisory committee and return recommendations to the governing board.
Budget matters surfaced in the conversation: Davis County’s line in the proposed Jordan River Commission budget was reported as $7,500 (roughly 2.4% of the total shown); Simonson and staff discussed options for clearer invoicing and suggested examining a membership formula across counties in a future budget cycle. County staff said they value the commission’s work but asked for improved advance notice when membership invoices rise.
Commissioners thanked Simonson, asked follow‑up questions about invasive‑species management and fishing access, and agreed to adjourn at 09:58. Simonson said the commission would provide additional context on return‑on‑investment outcomes and invited county participation in upcoming convenings.
