Commission approves modification to PL-566 Cottonwood Creek watershed study; NRCS funding central to next steps

Emery County commissioners on April 15 approved a modification to a professional-services change order for the PL-566 Cottonwood Creek Watershed Project, a multi-structure watershed plan that consultants say will protect reservoirs and reduce downstream flooding for several communities.

Jonathan Johansen of Johansen & Tuttle Engineering (Speaker 11) told commissioners the broader program comprises roughly 24 projects, including sedimentation basins and flood-prevention work above Joels Valley Reservoir and near Orangeville. He described an overall program cost of about $18 million. According to Johansen, roughly $9 million of the total could be classified as flood-prevention elements eligible for 100% funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); other portions might be eligible at 75% cost‑share rates, leaving a sponsor share estimated at about $1.5 million that the Conservancy District has indicated it may cover.

Johansen said the approved modification would cover the study phase and that NRCS must approve projects and funding in sequence. "NRCS will not approve... work that has already been done," he said, stressing the need to complete the study and move through environmental reviews and agency approvals before construction would begin. He added the study timeline may extend into the following spring and that construction funding remains contingent on NRCS availability.

The commission voted to approve the requested modification, noting that the county acts as sponsor for NRCS funding and that next steps require ongoing coordination among the county, NRCS and the Conservancy District.

Provenance: Item 13 discussion and approval for modification to PL-566 activities.