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2006 Utah Water Law Pipelines, Politics and Permitting Current Water Rights Issues. Jerry Olds State Engineer. Population Growth & Water. Current Population 2.5 Million Estimated Population 2020 - 3.5 Million 2050 - 5.4 Million
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2006 Utah Water Law Pipelines, Politics and Permitting Current Water Rights Issues Jerry Olds State Engineer
Population Growth & Water • Current Population 2.5 Million • Estimated Population 2020 - 3.5 Million 2050 - 5.4 Million • Estimated Water Conversion 2020 – 125,000 AF 2050 – 324,000 AF
Population Projections • 96% Increase Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Iron, Morgan, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch, Washington & Weber • Fastest Growing - % Washington, Morgan & Summit
State Engineer’s Water Appropriation Policy
Throughout Utah we are going from growing alfalfa to growing houses
Who Can HoldMunicipal Water Rights? • State of Utah (Agency) • Political Subdivision of the State (Cities, Towns & Special Districts) • US Bureau of Reclamation (SB 177)
Water Rights Summary • Year-round, CFS only, Certificated for Mun Use • 70-10 Canyon Spring .45 CFS • 70-20 Left Fork Spring .07 CFS • 70-30 City Spring .155 CFS • 70-100 City Hall Well 1.00 CFS Total 1.675 CFS 1220 AF Current use = 450 AF/Yr Spring flow decreases during late summer.
Water Availability Study • Water demand – 5 yrs, 450 to 650 AF • July 120 AF and August 100 AF • Combined spring flow Drops from .675 cfs to .30 cfs • Springs ~ 20 AF, Well ~ 60 AF = 80 AF/Month • Global change application • Enlargement
Municipal Water Rights • Increase in municipal water use • Water rights - public water suppliers • Future water needs • Certainty • Flexibility • Define municipal water rights • Proper management
Report of Water Rights Conveyance • Statutory modification - 2000 • Water user required to file ROC • $25 filing fee • In FY 06 – over 3400 ROCs • Increased workload Report of Water Rights Conveyance
Water Right Title Issues • DWRights is NOT office of record for ownership • Recording of deeds and timely filing ROC Water rights sold more than once • Diligence & UGW claims Prima faca evidence Claim filed for 80 acres Field exam show 20 acres Ten ROCs on file for 60 acres Owner still holds 20 acres • How should ROCs for claims be handled?
Utah’s Upper Colorado River Entitlement & Current Depletions Utah’s Apportionment (23%) 1,369,000 AF Current Depletion 1,007,500 AF Remaining Depletion 361,500 AF
Potential Depletion Approved Applications (Undeveloped) Applicant Quantity (Ac Ft) San Juan County WCD 30,000 Central Utah WCD 29,500 Board of W R (et al) 158,000 Wayne County WCD 50,000 Kane County WCD 30,000 Sanpete WCD 5,600 Uintah County WCD 5,000 Others (< 5000 AF) 80,000* Ute Tribe ? 105,000 TOTAL 493,100
There is no argument that the Navajo Nation have water rights, Navajo Nation Water Rights the question is how much?
DRAFT – Subject to revision Potential Depletion Approved Applications (Undeveloped) Applicant Quantity (Ac Ft) Priority SJ County WCD 30,000 1966 CUWCD 29,500 1965 Bd of W R (et al) 158,000 1958 Wayne CWCD 50,000 1960 Kane CWCD 30,000 1964 Sanpete WCD 5,600 1941 Uintah CWCD 5,000 1965 Others (< 5000 AF) 80,000 (40,000 < 1965) na Ute Tribe ? 105,000 1861* Navajo Nation? 50 -150,000 1884* TOTAL 488,000 AF with priority dates before 1965. $2 Billion Bonneville Unit CUP has 1965 priority date.
Other Current Issues • Snake Valley • Formal administrative hearings • Rules on proof of beneficial use • Change Application Surface to Ground Water Non-use of water for extended periods
Thank You Questions?