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Regional water manager: Salt Wells groundwater is saline and water rights in the area are privately owned
Summary
Chance Baxter of the Bear River Water Conservancy District told the commission the district does not own water rights in the Salt Wells/Hansel Valley area and described groundwater there as "naturally salty and highly mineralized," unsuitable for drinking or long‑term irrigation.
Chance Baxter, general manager of the Bear River Water Conservancy District, told commissioners the district reviewed the water‑right application for water right 13‑41‑48 and concluded it had no grounds to protest because the district does not own or rely on water rights in the Salt Wells/Hansel Valley area.
Baxter said the valley's groundwater near Salt Wells is "naturally salty and highly mineralized" and "unsuitable for drinking or long term irrigation." He added that usable groundwater in the valley is limited, located farther north, and not replaceable. Baxter's remarks were presented as technical, not as advocacy for or against the project; he said his role was to provide technical information to decision makers about water supply limitations and obligations.
Baxter also noted the District did not evaluate land use, zoning or economic development aspects of the project; its review was limited to hydraulic and water supply considerations.
