Current Issues

Current Issues

01/25/2010    The meeting will discuss the comments that were received and the additional changes that are proposed for Rule R655-16. Administrative Procedures for Declaring Beneficial Use Limitations for Supplemental Water Rights. 3:00 pm, Monday, February 8, 2010 Department of Natural Resources Room 1040

01/20/2010    This Team's focus is to recommend to the State Engineer, mechanism and policy to help provide for the USFWS recommended flows for the preservation of Endangered FIsh on the Green River.

12/07/2009    Hearing Scheduled Emery County: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:00 AM - in the auditorium of the John Wesley Powell Museum located at 1765 East Main, Green River, Utah. Applications considered; The Kane and Garfield County Water Conservancy Districts

12/06/2009    The Executive Water Rights Task Force Meeting December 7, 2009 1:30 PM, Room 2000 DNR. Items include Canal Safety, Deed Rider Update and Water Banking.

11/29/2009    Utah Water Coalition Meeting Tuesday December 1 2009 @2 PM - Topic: R655-16 Declaring Beneficial Use in Water Use Groups. See Lee Sim or Kaelyn Anfinsen for details.

11/16/2009    A public meeting for the Administrative Rules on Declaring Beneficial Use Limitations for Supplemental Water Rights (R655-16), will be held on Nov. 17, at 10:00am.

11/16/2009    Tooele County: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:00 AM in the Goshute Tribal Headquarters located at 195 Tribal Center Road, Ibapah, Utah. Application considered;The Confederate Tribes of the Goshute Reservation

09/30/2009    The Management staff toured the Navajo reservation to discuss water issues and future solutions and settlements. Out hosts were John Leeper and Teresa Showa.

09/29/2009    Executive Water Rights Task Force Meeting September 29, 2009 1-4 PM. See Boyd Clayton for details

09/14/2009    The 2009 Annual Ground Water Conditions Report is now available from the USGS website link included here. This is the 46th in a series of annual reports published cooperatively with the DNR Divisions of Water Rights and Water Resources and the DEQ Division of Water Quality that provide data to enable interested parties to maintain awareness of changing ground water conditions.

08/27/2009    Public Informational meetings will be held in Price, Green River and Moab September 29, and 30 to present and discuss a wide variety of Water Right issues ranging from Colorado river and tributary policy to recent Utah legislation.

08/20/2009    Proposed Water Rights Policy Amendment on the Green River between Flaming Gorge Dam and the Duchesne River. There was a public meeting to solicit comments on this policy, August 20, 2009, 2:00 PM, Western Park Convention Center, 302 East 200 South, Vernal Utah

08/13/2009    After 4 years of study and negotiation, Utah and Nevada have released a draft agreement on the management of the Snake Valley groundwater system. The plan divides an estimated sustainable yield of 132,000 ac-ft evenly between the 2 states in 3 categories; allocated, unallocated and reserved. There is also a monitoring, mitigation and environmental component to the agreement. Public meetings are planned in August in Utah and Nevada. The goal is to protect current rights and allow development.

07/24/2009    James Greer has been moved from his position in Technical Services to lead the revamped Adjudication team. He will replace Teresa Willhelmsen who has taken over the Utah Lake/Jorden River office. Mike Handy and Vance Twitchell will also join James and the current Adjudication staff. Sue Glenn has moved to assist with the Title program, Dana Dredge has joined Technical Services.

07/15/2009    Tamara Keene has been promoted to the Public Inquiry Section in SLC. Tamara started with the Division of Water Rights last October and will now move from Adjudication to Public Inquiry.

07/14/2009    Next meeting of the Executive Water Task Force is scheduled for July 14, 1:00 pm in room 3710 of the Natural Resources Complex.

07/01/2009    Water Right Fees increased due to new legislation, starting July 1, 2009 and new fees have been instituted for Protests and Stream Alterations. Several other small changes in the Water Right process, including Proofs, Livestock Certificates, Segregations and Public Notice, go into effect July 1, 2009. See the new brochures link for more information or contact your local Water Rights office.

06/22/2009    Most State offices, including Water Rights, will remain open for a normal Monday - Thursday schedule for the two holiday weeks in July this year becuse these holidays fall on the weekend. State employees will be asked to stagger their holiday leave to accomadate this schedule and provide office coverage and full service to the public for the July 4th and 24th hiolidays.

06/02/2009    The Salt Lake City Offices of the Division of Water Rights are undergoing renovation and will be displaced until July 1 2009. Currently, work is going on in the north half of the office, and those employees have moved to temporary space in the first floor conference rooms. All services will be maintained but please call before visiting for an appointment and special directions. Thanks

05/27/2009    Randy Tarantino, of the Public Inquiry Section, has accepted the position of Title Specialist in the Applications and Records Section. She begins Monday June 1 2009 with her new assignment and she replaces Vanessa Giby.

05/21/2009    A list of items for future study was developed at the meeting today and will be sent out to attendees to prioritize. The next two meetings were scheduled for June 16, 1:00pm and July 14, 1:00pm. At the next meeting proposals will be presented to modify the adjudication statute, address nonuse in change applications, state engineer bond, dam application review fee, and a different stream alteration permit fee structure.

05/19/2009    Teresa Wilhelmsen has accepted a re-assignment as an Engineering Manager I from Adjudication Manager to Regional Engineer of the Utah Lake/Jordan River Area. She replaces John Mann who was appointed Assistant State Engineer - Applications and Records.

05/14/2009    The first meeting of the Water Issues Task Force is scheduled for May 21, 2009, 1:00 PM, in room 2000 of the natural resources complex.

05/12/2009    As of May 12, 2009, applicants have the option of submitting an Affidavit of Beneficial Use for a small amount of water instead of hiring a professional. Information and examples of how to complete this process can be found on our website at Programs > Water Rights > Proof of Beneficial Use. Also the changes to the Utah Code 73-3-31 (Water Right for watering livestock on public land) mandated an online form to allow electronic submitting of a Livestock water use Certificate application.See Link

04/29/2009    The Salt Lake City Offices of the Division of Water Rights are undergoing renovation and will be displaced until July 1 2009. The south half of the office will be moved to temporary offices on the first floor of the new DNR building in May and the north half will be displaced in June. All services will be maintained but please call before visiting for an appointment and special directions. Thanks

04/27/2009    The Nevada State Engineer has granted a 2 year postponement of the Snake Valley water hearings. This project intends to gather ground water from the Utah - Nevada border valleys and pipe it down to Las Vegas.

04/16/2009    John Mann, PE has been selected to be the new Assistant State Engineer - Applications and Records by State Engineer Kent Jones and his selection committtee. John has worked for the Division of Water Rights for 23 years and has been the Regional Engineer for the Weber and Utah Lake/Jorden River Offices.

04/14/2009    In accordance with Chapter 73-4, Utah Code Annotated and the Order of the Third Judicial District Court dated October 16, 2007, the Utah State Engineer has released his Proposed Determination and Recommendation of the Rights to the Use of Return Flow from Water Imported from the Uinta Basin to Utah Valley by the Strawberry Valley Project.

04/02/2009    The new version of the Water RIghts Home Web page was released today including fly down menus, a tracking bar, search function, prominent links, FAQ, Current Issues and informational items accessible with just one mouse click. The Division Inner Web page, called the Flow, was also released with a bullitin board, message board and recent history section along with announcements and links that employees use most. The goal is to make our web pages more intuitive and user freindly for our users.

03/23/2009    Most Water Right fees will be increasing, starting July 1, 2009. Also note that new fees will be initiated for filing a Stream Alteration Application and for submitting a Protest on any Water Right Application. These fees will help to offset the processing costs of these applications.

03/10/2009    Utah Water Users Workshop held in Saint George Utah, March 9-11, 2009, at the Dixie Center.

03/03/2009    The Old DNR Building is undergoing a renovation to its HVAC and data systems that will continue for the next few months. The DIvision of Water Rights will be effected directly in April and May. Please excuse our dust.

02/26/2009    "A Recent History of the Division of Water Rights", compiled by intern employee Kevin Arthofer, is released in-house for review. This draft document is an objective summation of the major issues encountered in the Division of Water Rights over the last 8 years. It is available now, in draft form, upon request.

02/17/2009    Two new Water Rights Brochures published: Administering a Utah Water Right & Owning a Utah Water Right. These publications are available on our Web Site Home Page - waterrights.utah.gov. MCL

02/04/2009    Kent L. Jones, P.E., appointment as the nineteenth State Engineer is approved by the Utah State Senate. MCL

01/30/2009    Three-Dimensional Numerical Model of Ground-Water Flow in Northern Utah Valley, Utah County, Utah released by the USGS. A three-dimensional, finite-difference, numerical model was developed to simulate ground-water flow in northern Utah Valley, Utah. The model includes expanded areal boundaries as compared to a previous ground-water flow model of the valley and incorporates more than 20 years of additional hydrologic data. The model was calibrated to steady- and transient-state conditions. MCL

01/29/2009    Hydrology of Northern Utah Valley, Utah County, 1975 - 2005. USGS Co - Op Report released . The ground-water resources of northern Utah Valley, Utah, were assessed during 2003-05 to describe and quantify components of the hydrologic system, determine a hydrologic budget for the basin-fill aquifer, and evaluate changes to the system relative to previous studies. Sources of water to the basin-fill aquifers were estimated to average 153,000 (+/- 31,500) acre-feet annually during 1975-2004 with subsurface inflow and infiltration of streamflow being the predominant sources. Ground-water discharge from the basin-fill aquifers during 1975-2004 was estimated to average 166,700 (+/- 25,900) acre-feet/year where discharge to wells for consumptive use and discharge to waterways, drains, ditches, and springs were the principal sources. Water levels in 110 wells covering all aquifers droped an average of 22 feet and well water age ranged from 2 to 50 years. MCL

01/12/2009    Kent L. Jones, P.E., is appointed as State Engineer by Governor Jon Huntsman, pending Utah Senate approval. MCL

12/15/2008    Jerry D. Olds, P.E. retires as State Engineer after 37 years of State service. Boyd P. Clayton, P.E. is appointed as Interim State Engineer. MCL

12/10/2008    Jerry Olds, PE, State Engineer, approves a Policy change in the 97 drainage to remove restrictions around the Escalante City limits. The policy governing new appropriations in the entire Escalante River, 97-Area will be based on the State Engineer�s Escalante River Policy adopted April 2, 2002. MCL

11/01/2008    Curlew Valley Groundwater Hydrogeologic Framework report released. This is a cooperative study that was conducted by the Utah Geological Survey in cooperation with the Division of Water Rights. The study finds that a substantial increase in ground-water pumping for agriculture over the past 40 years, combined with lower-than-average precipitation during the past 10 years, are the most likely causes of the declining discharge at Locomotive Springs. MCL

08/27/2008    The Division of Water Rights enters into and agreement with Roosevelt City and the Ute Indian tribe to study the surface water effects of pumping existing wells in the Neola area. MCL

07/01/2008    The Division of Water Rights enters into a cooperative agreement with the Division of Water Resources and Dr. Robert Hill of Utah State University to study the Statewide Crop Consumptive Use and Open Water Surface Evaporation for Utah. MCL

06/12/2008    The DIvision of Water Rights enters into a coperative agreement with the Utah Geological Survey on a 3 year study of the hydrogeology of the Rush and Tooele Valley to study groundwater flow and develop a water budget of the area. MCL

05/30/2008    The Executive Water Issues Task Force was authorized by the 2008 Legislature and is meeting regularly to discuss water right issues and provide community input for proposed legislation.

05/09/2008    The Utah Division of Water Rights has scheduled training sessions for professionals who prepare Proofs of Beneficial Use. The training session will be presented in each region to help ensure that anyone interested has the opportunity to attend.

05/01/2008    Aquatic Invasive Species Presentation by Larry Dalton

04/23/2008    Executive Water Task Force Bullets

04/10/2008    Inquiries concerning Hook Canyon Project

04/07/2008    Proof Professionals Survey A survey for professional engineers and land surveyors who prepare Proofs of Beneficial Use.

03/26/2008    The DIvision of Water Rights enters into a coperative agreement with the Utah Geological Survey and the Weber Basin WCD on a 1.5 year study of the hydrogeology of the Morgan Valley to study groundwater flow and develop a water budget of the area. The study is due in late 2010.

02/04/2008    Draft Administrative Procedures for Statement of Sole Supply Forms are drafted and submitted for approval. MCL/BS

10/01/2007    Water Right Issues in Utah CLE Presentation by Jerry Olds

08/20/2007    Administrative rules for Distribution Systems and Water Commissioners (R655-15). Draft Date 07/25/2007

08/01/2007    Revised administrative rules for Geothermal Energy Wells (R655-1) and Administrative Proceedings on Water Rights Commenced Prior to January 1988 (R655-2) have been published for comment in Vol. 2007, No. 15.

07/01/2007    The Division of Water Rights will no longer accept any Report of Water Right Conveyance that propose title update on more than one water right number. A complete Report of Water Right Conveyance, including all supporting documentation, must be submitted for EVERY water right number requiring title update.

06/30/2007    The US Forest Service is taking comment on a proposal to designate river segments in Utah as wild and scenic. Click to view a map of the The Wild & Scenic Rivers Suitability Study.

06/01/2007    Snake Valley - Nevada SNWA project Developments - Southern Nevada Water Authority is pursuing a project to export groundwater from Eastern Nevada to the Las Vegas area. Some of the groundwater basins targeted by the project are connected to Utah groundwater basins. A ground-water study called BARCASS of the area was released June 1, 2007. Utah and Nevada pursuant to Federal legislation are in the process of developing an agreement which divides ground-water resources of the basin between the two states.

04/18/2007    Nonuse of water and other Municipal Water Rights Issues - Jerry Olds, State Engineer made a presentation to the Natural Resources Interim Committee inviting them to investigate issues related to nonuse of water (forfeiture) and other Municipal Water Right issues with the expectation that legislation be developed which would provide the State Engineer additional guidance in these areas.

03/19/2007    The Utah State Engineer has started the process to create a groundwater management plan for the Beryl / Enterprise area. The first public meeting was held soliciting public interacting in the process. Data and notice of any other public meetings will be posted on the Beryl / Enterprise Groundwater Management Plan website.

09/14/2006    The United States Congressional Budget Office has released the report How Federal Policies Affect the Allocation of Water. The Utah Division of Water Rights does not endorse the views set forth in the report. A reference is provided here for public information and to stimulate dialog on the subject.

03/01/2006    During February 2006 the Division modified it�s data structure and presentation of water right uses. Notable in the process is a centeralized ability to group all water rights which share a use and assign a sole supply to each right for the use. This structural change corrects a long standing shortcoming in the automated records system which allowed "rights in common" and now called supplemental rights to be described on each water right independently resulting in redundant data entry and inconsistencies. All of the existing data was processed into the new system. In some cases the processing was unable to detect inconsistencies and has produced redundant conflicting records. The Division is currently reviewing rights with multiple supplemental groups in an effort to correct this issue. For the time being we are providing an alternative view from the old uses listing for comparision. You access the alternative view from the pulldown menu at the top of each water right.


01/25/2010		The meeting will discuss the comments that were received and the additional changes that are proposed for Rule R655-16. Administrative Procedures for Declaring Beneficial Use Limitations for Supplemental Water Rights. 3:00 pm, Monday, February 8, 2010 Department of Natural Resources Room 1040

01/20/2010		This Team's focus is to recommend to the State Engineer, mechanism and policy to help provide for the USFWS recommended flows for the preservation of Endangered FIsh on the Green River.

12/07/2009		Hearing Scheduled Emery County: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:00 AM - in the auditorium of the John Wesley Powell Museum located at 1765 East Main, Green River, Utah. Applications considered; The Kane and Garfield County Water Conservancy Districts

12/06/2009		The Executive Water Rights Task Force Meeting December 7, 2009 1:30 PM, Room 2000 DNR. Items include Canal Safety, Deed Rider Update and Water Banking.

11/29/2009		Utah Water Coalition Meeting Tuesday December 1 2009 @2 PM - Topic: R655-16 Declaring Beneficial Use in Water Use Groups. See Lee Sim or Kaelyn Anfinsen for details.

11/16/2009		A public meeting for the Administrative Rules on Declaring Beneficial Use Limitations for Supplemental Water Rights (R655-16), will be held on Nov. 17, at 10:00am.

11/16/2009		Tooele County: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:00 AM in the Goshute Tribal Headquarters located at 195 Tribal Center Road, Ibapah, Utah. Application considered;The Confederate Tribes of the Goshute Reservation

09/30/2009		The Management staff toured the Navajo reservation to discuss water issues and future solutions and settlements. Out hosts were John Leeper and Teresa Showa.

09/29/2009		Executive Water Rights Task Force Meeting September 29, 2009 1-4 PM. See Boyd Clayton for details

09/14/2009		The 2009 Annual Ground Water Conditions Report is now available from the USGS website link included here. This is the 46th in a series of annual reports published cooperatively with the DNR Divisions of Water Rights and Water Resources and the DEQ Division of Water Quality that provide data to enable interested parties to maintain awareness of changing ground water conditions.

08/27/2009		Public Informational meetings will be held in Price, Green River and Moab September 29, and 30 to present and discuss a wide variety of Water Right issues ranging from Colorado river and tributary policy to recent Utah legislation.

08/20/2009		Proposed Water Rights Policy Amendment on the Green River between Flaming Gorge Dam and the Duchesne River. There was a public meeting to solicit comments on this policy, August 20, 2009, 2:00 PM, Western Park Convention Center, 302 East 200 South, Vernal Utah

08/13/2009		After 4 years of study and negotiation, Utah and Nevada have released a draft agreement on the management of the Snake Valley groundwater system. The plan divides an estimated sustainable yield of 132,000 ac-ft evenly between the 2 states in 3 categories; allocated, unallocated and reserved. There is also a monitoring, mitigation and environmental component to the agreement. Public meetings are planned in August in Utah and Nevada. The goal is to protect current rights and allow development.

07/24/2009		James Greer has been moved from his position in Technical Services to lead the revamped Adjudication team. He will replace Teresa Willhelmsen who has taken over the Utah Lake/Jorden River office. Mike Handy and Vance Twitchell will also join James and the current Adjudication staff. Sue Glenn has moved to assist with the Title program, Dana Dredge has joined Technical Services.

07/15/2009		Tamara Keene has been promoted to the Public Inquiry Section in SLC. Tamara started with the Division of Water Rights last October and will now move from Adjudication to Public Inquiry.

07/14/2009		Next meeting of the Executive Water Task Force is scheduled for July 14, 1:00 pm in room 3710 of the Natural Resources Complex.

07/01/2009		Water Right Fees increased due to new legislation, starting July 1, 2009 and new fees have been instituted for Protests and Stream Alterations. Several other small changes in the Water Right process, including Proofs, Livestock Certificates, Segregations and Public Notice, go into effect July 1, 2009. See the new brochures link for more information or contact your local Water Rights office.

06/22/2009		Most State offices, including Water Rights, will remain open for a normal Monday - Thursday schedule for the two holiday weeks in July this year becuse these holidays fall on the weekend. State employees will be asked to stagger their holiday leave to accomadate this schedule and provide office coverage and full service to the public for the July 4th and 24th hiolidays.

06/02/2009		The Salt Lake City Offices of the Division of Water Rights are undergoing renovation and will be displaced until July 1 2009. Currently, work is going on in the north half of the office, and those employees have moved to temporary space in the first floor conference rooms. All services will be maintained but please call before visiting for an appointment and special directions. Thanks

05/27/2009		Randy Tarantino, of the Public Inquiry Section, has accepted the position of Title Specialist in the Applications and Records Section. She begins Monday June 1 2009 with her new assignment and she replaces Vanessa Giby.

05/21/2009		A list of items for future study was developed at the meeting today and will be sent out to attendees to prioritize. The next two meetings were scheduled for June 16, 1:00pm and July 14, 1:00pm. At the next meeting proposals will be presented to modify the adjudication statute, address nonuse in change applications, state engineer bond, dam application review fee, and a different stream alteration permit fee structure.

05/19/2009		Teresa Wilhelmsen has accepted a re-assignment as an Engineering Manager I from Adjudication Manager to Regional Engineer of the Utah Lake/Jordan River Area. She replaces John Mann who was appointed Assistant State Engineer - Applications and Records.

05/14/2009		The first meeting of the Water Issues Task Force is scheduled for May 21, 2009, 1:00 PM, in room 2000 of the natural resources complex.

05/12/2009		As of May 12, 2009, applicants have the option of submitting an Affidavit of Beneficial Use for a small amount of water instead of hiring a professional. Information and examples of how to complete this process can be found on our website at Programs > Water Rights > Proof of Beneficial Use. Also the changes to the Utah Code 73-3-31 (Water Right for watering livestock on public land) mandated an online form to allow electronic submitting of a Livestock water use Certificate application.See Link

04/29/2009		The Salt Lake City Offices of the Division of Water Rights are undergoing renovation and will be displaced until July 1 2009. The south half of the office will be moved to temporary offices on the first floor of the new DNR building in May and the north half will be displaced in June. All services will be maintained but please call before visiting for an appointment and special directions. Thanks

04/27/2009		The Nevada State Engineer has granted a 2 year postponement of the Snake Valley water hearings. This project intends to gather ground water from the Utah - Nevada border valleys and pipe it down to Las Vegas.

04/16/2009		John Mann, PE has been selected to be the new Assistant State Engineer - Applications and Records by State Engineer Kent Jones and his selection committtee. John has worked for the Division of Water Rights for 23 years and has been the Regional Engineer for the Weber and Utah Lake/Jorden River Offices.

04/14/2009		In accordance with Chapter 73-4, Utah Code Annotated and the Order of the Third Judicial District Court dated October 16, 2007, the Utah State Engineer has released his Proposed Determination and Recommendation of the Rights to the Use of Return Flow from Water Imported from the Uinta Basin to Utah Valley by the Strawberry Valley Project.

04/02/2009		The new version of the Water RIghts Home Web page was released today including fly down menus, a tracking bar, search function, prominent links, FAQ, Current Issues and informational items accessible with just one mouse click. The Division Inner Web page, called the Flow, was also released with a bullitin board, message board and recent history section along with announcements and links that employees use most. The goal is to make our web pages more intuitive and user freindly for our users.

03/23/2009		Most Water Right fees will be increasing, starting July 1, 2009. Also note that new fees will be initiated for filing a Stream Alteration Application and for submitting a Protest on any Water Right Application. These fees will help to offset the processing costs of these applications.

03/10/2009		Utah Water Users Workshop held in Saint George Utah, March 9-11, 2009, at the Dixie Center.

03/03/2009		The Old DNR Building is undergoing a renovation to its HVAC and data systems that will continue for the next few months. The DIvision of Water Rights will be effected directly in April and May. Please excuse our dust.

02/26/2009		"A Recent History of the Division of Water Rights", compiled by intern employee Kevin Arthofer, is released in-house for review. This draft document is an objective summation of the major issues encountered in the Division of Water Rights over the last 8 years. It is available now, in draft form, upon request.

02/17/2009		Two new Water Rights Brochures published: Administering a Utah Water Right & Owning a Utah Water Right. These publications are available on our Web Site Home Page - waterrights.utah.gov. MCL

02/04/2009		Kent L. Jones, P.E., appointment as the nineteenth State Engineer is approved by the Utah State Senate. MCL

01/30/2009		Three-Dimensional Numerical Model of Ground-Water Flow in Northern Utah Valley, Utah County, Utah released by the USGS. A three-dimensional, finite-difference, numerical model was developed to simulate ground-water flow in northern Utah Valley, Utah. The model includes expanded areal boundaries as compared to a previous ground-water flow model of the valley and incorporates more than 20 years of additional hydrologic data. The model was calibrated to steady- and transient-state conditions. MCL

01/29/2009		Hydrology of Northern Utah Valley, Utah County, 1975 - 2005. USGS Co - Op Report released . The ground-water resources of northern Utah Valley, Utah, were assessed during 2003-05 to describe and quantify components of the hydrologic system, determine a hydrologic budget for the basin-fill aquifer, and evaluate changes to the system relative to previous studies. Sources of water to the basin-fill aquifers were estimated to average 153,000 (+/- 31,500) acre-feet annually during 1975-2004 with subsurface inflow and infiltration of streamflow being the predominant sources. Ground-water discharge from the basin-fill aquifers during 1975-2004 was estimated to average 166,700 (+/- 25,900) acre-feet/year where discharge to wells for consumptive use and discharge to waterways, drains, ditches, and springs were the principal sources. Water levels in 110 wells covering all aquifers droped an average of 22 feet and well water age ranged from 2 to 50 years. MCL

01/12/2009		Kent L. Jones, P.E., is appointed as State Engineer by Governor Jon Huntsman, pending Utah Senate approval. MCL

12/15/2008		Jerry D. Olds, P.E. retires as State Engineer after 37 years of State service. Boyd P. Clayton, P.E. is appointed as Interim State Engineer. MCL

12/10/2008		Jerry Olds, PE, State Engineer, approves a Policy change in the 97 drainage to remove restrictions around the Escalante City limits. The policy governing new appropriations in the entire Escalante River, 97-Area will be based on the State Engineer�s Escalante River Policy adopted April 2, 2002. MCL

11/01/2008		Curlew Valley Groundwater Hydrogeologic Framework report released. This is a cooperative study that was conducted by the Utah Geological Survey in cooperation with the Division of Water Rights. The study finds that a substantial increase in ground-water pumping for agriculture over the past 40 years, combined with lower-than-average precipitation during the past 10 years, are the most likely causes of the declining discharge at Locomotive Springs. MCL

08/27/2008		The Division of Water Rights enters into and agreement with Roosevelt City and the Ute Indian tribe to study the surface water effects of pumping existing wells in the Neola area. MCL

07/01/2008		The Division of Water Rights enters into a cooperative agreement with the Division of Water Resources and Dr. Robert Hill of Utah State University to study the Statewide Crop Consumptive Use and Open Water Surface Evaporation for Utah. MCL

06/12/2008		The DIvision of Water Rights enters into a coperative agreement with the Utah Geological Survey on a 3 year study of the hydrogeology of the Rush and Tooele Valley to study groundwater flow and develop a water budget of the area. MCL

05/30/2008		The Executive Water Issues Task Force was authorized by the 2008 Legislature and is meeting regularly to discuss water right issues and provide community input for proposed legislation.

05/09/2008		The Utah Division of Water Rights has scheduled training sessions for professionals who prepare Proofs of Beneficial Use. The training session will be presented in each region to help ensure that anyone interested has the opportunity to attend.

05/01/2008		Aquatic Invasive Species Presentation by Larry Dalton

04/23/2008		Executive Water Task Force Bullets

04/10/2008		Inquiries concerning Hook Canyon Project

04/07/2008		Proof Professionals Survey A survey for professional engineers and land surveyors who prepare Proofs of Beneficial Use.

03/26/2008		The DIvision of Water Rights enters into a coperative agreement with the Utah Geological Survey and the Weber Basin WCD on a 1.5 year study of the hydrogeology of the Morgan Valley to study groundwater flow and develop a water budget of the area. The study is due in late 2010.

02/04/2008		Draft Administrative Procedures for Statement of Sole Supply Forms are drafted and submitted for approval. MCL/BS

10/01/2007		Water Right Issues in Utah CLE Presentation by Jerry Olds

08/20/2007		Administrative rules for Distribution Systems and Water Commissioners (R655-15). Draft Date 07/25/2007

08/01/2007		Revised administrative rules for Geothermal Energy Wells (R655-1) and Administrative Proceedings on Water Rights Commenced Prior to January 1988 (R655-2) have been published for comment in Vol. 2007, No. 15.

07/01/2007		The Division of Water Rights will no longer accept any Report of Water Right Conveyance that propose title update on more than one water right number. A complete Report of Water Right Conveyance, including all supporting documentation, must be submitted for EVERY water right number requiring title update.

06/30/2007		The US Forest Service is taking comment on a proposal to designate river segments in Utah as wild and scenic. Click to view a map of the The Wild & Scenic Rivers Suitability Study.

06/01/2007		Snake Valley - Nevada SNWA project Developments - Southern Nevada Water Authority is pursuing a project to export groundwater from Eastern Nevada to the Las Vegas area. Some of the groundwater basins targeted by the project are connected to Utah groundwater basins. A ground-water study called BARCASS of the area was released June 1, 2007. Utah and Nevada pursuant to Federal legislation are in the process of developing an agreement which divides ground-water resources of the basin between the two states.

04/18/2007		Nonuse of water and other Municipal Water Rights Issues - Jerry Olds, State Engineer made a presentation to the Natural Resources Interim Committee inviting them to investigate issues related to nonuse of water (forfeiture) and other Municipal Water Right issues with the expectation that legislation be developed which would provide the State Engineer additional guidance in these areas.

03/19/2007		The Utah State Engineer has started the process to create a groundwater management plan for the Beryl / Enterprise area. The first public meeting was held soliciting public interacting in the process. Data and notice of any other public meetings will be posted on the Beryl / Enterprise Groundwater Management Plan website.

09/14/2006		The United States Congressional Budget Office has released the report How Federal Policies Affect the Allocation of Water. The Utah Division of Water Rights does not endorse the views set forth in the report. A reference is provided here for public information and to stimulate dialog on the subject.

03/01/2006		During February 2006 the Division modified it�s data structure and presentation of water right uses. Notable in the process is a centeralized ability to group all water rights which share a use and assign a sole supply to each right for the use. This structural change corrects a long standing shortcoming in the automated records system which allowed "rights in common" and now called supplemental rights to be described on each water right independently resulting in redundant data entry and inconsistencies. All of the existing data was processed into the new system. In some cases the processing was unable to detect inconsistencies and has produced redundant conflicting records. The Division is currently reviewing rights with multiple supplemental groups in an effort to correct this issue. For the time being we are providing an alternative view from the old uses listing for comparision. You access the alternative view from the pulldown menu at the top of each water right.