Vote on High Ridge preliminary plat postponed after debate over water rights and groundwater analysis

The Carbon County Board of Commissioners postponed a decision on the High Ridge Subdivision preliminary plat until Oct. 21, citing the need to review materials submitted within the previous 24 hours and concerns raised about water availability and potential aquifer drawdown.

Staff and consultants summarized technical work on the proposal, including an August 19 memo from Geosyntec estimating consumptive versus non-consumptive water use and projected aquifer drawdown. Commenters and neighboring property owners questioned whether the applicants had adequate water rights and whether the proposed development would reduce flows to Willow Creek and affect wildlife habitat.

Developer Nate Pirtz told the board that "Willow Creek would have about 20% more water due to the irrigation plan;" he said the applicants are dedicating 20 inches of water to the irrigation system and that water not used by the sprinklers would remain in Willow Creek. Renee Coppock, representing the applicants' counsel, said she believes the applicants have demonstrated an adequate water supply but noted that Stahley Engineering had not reviewed the newest analysis that had been submitted.

Commissioner Scott Blain asked whether the board wanted to postpone the decision to allow time for review. Commissioner Scott Miller moved to postpone the vote until Oct. 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.; Commissioner Bill Bullock seconded and the motion carried. The minutes record an earlier motion to approve and later record the postponement; the official action taken recorded in the minutes is the postponement to Oct. 21.