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Rich County adopts Water Use and Preservation Element required by state statute
Summary
Following a public hearing with no public comments, the commission unanimously adopted the Water Use and Preservation Element required by Utah Code 17-27-804; the plan notes county use averages 274 gpcd, below Utah's 2030 goal of 305 gpcd and states water rights exceed projected demand through 2050.
The Rich County Commission unanimously adopted the Water Use and Preservation Element of the county comprehensive plan on Dec. 10, saying the element satisfies the requirement in Utah Code 17-27-804 and must be completed by Dec. 31, 2025. Planning Administrator Mitch Poulsen presented the element during a public hearing; he told commissioners the county currently averages 274 gallons per capita per day in water use, below Utah's 2030 goal of 305 gpcd.
Poulsen said the plan addresses water resources across agriculture and drinking water uses, includes a water budget, and proposes conservation strategies; the element is advisory rather than mandatory. The Planning Commission previously held a public hearing on the draft with no attendees or comments. During the county hearing on Dec. 10 there were no public comments; Commissioner William E. Cox moved to close the hearing and the Commission then voted to approve the element.
Commissioners recorded that current water rights substantially outpace projected use through 2050, and that the element's adoption positions the county to identify advisory conservation policies for future planning. The action completes the county's statutory requirement ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline.
