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Council selects Esplan property as first test well site, BLM sign-off expected in March
Summary
Council authorized beginning work at the Esplan (private) site as the first test well starting March 1, pending BLM approvals on related sites; staff said test drilling and water-quality results will determine subsequent well locations.
Cedar City Council voted to move forward with drilling a test well on the Esplan property (site #6) effective March 1 as the first location in the North Watershed Test Well Project.
Council discussed sequencing among several candidate locations including BLM land and city-owned parcels. Staff reported positive conversations with the private property owner (Fred Esplan) and said the BLM had told staff it anticipated being able to sign off by March if federal approvals did not change. Councilmembers emphasized that water quality results from the Esplan test will determine whether the city proceeds with drilling on other sites.
The council moved that site #6 on Esplan property be the first drill location starting March 1; the motion was seconded and the vote was recorded as unanimous.
Staff noted that if the Esplan well results were poor, the project would shift to the BLM or another city site. They also discussed timing considerations for the driller27s mobilization costs and the risk of demobilization if sequencing changed. Council asked staff to coordinate permits, access memoranda and, if necessary, negotiate purchase or easement terms with the private owner.
Next steps: staff will prepare the written memorandum and permitting paperwork to allow access to Esplan property and continue BLM permit processing so the drilling sequence can proceed in early March.
