project which will store approximately 30,000 acre feet. The project will be an appendage of the
Quail Creek project and feed off the same diversion dam and pipeline structure. He said the site
is also being considered for ground water recharge. Mr. Thompson pointed out that water
recreation is a big business in Washington County. Mr. Thompson discussed some of the current
water projects in Washington County and the proposed Lake Powell pipeline. The Lake Powell
pipeline will bring approximately 60,000 acre feet of water per year into Washington County
which would meet medium growth figures. If growth continues at the current pace, the Lake
Powell project will have to be made a priority project.
3. Cache Valley Groundwater Plan - Ms. Allyson Grandy, Division of Water Rights, distributed information on a ground water study completed in Cache Valley. In 1990, the USGS,
Division of Water Resources, and Division of Water Rights conducted a study of the ground
water system in Cache Valley. There are times of the year during peak pumping when water
demand exceeds the flows in the Bear River system. To address the problem, the state engineer
is proposing that each application for a new ground water appropriation must be accompanied by
some form of compensation or a replacement plan. The state engineer presented the policy
report to the residents of Cache Valley. The Division of Water Rights received a number of
comments which they are in the process of reviewing.
4. Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission - Mr. Michael Weland, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, explained that the commission was
established in 1994 as a partner with the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) in
completing the Central Utah Project (CUP). The commission represents approximately 10
percent of the funding for the CUP. The commission is responsible to implement the mitigation
responsibilities associated with the federal water project. While the annual appropriations for the
commission are coming from Congress, there is also a contribution from the state that goes into a
trust fund that the commission cannot spend. At the end of the construction period or when the
mitigation features under the annual appropriations are completed, the interest generated by the
money in the trust fund will allow the commission to complete its work. The commission will
sunset 20 years after the Secretary of the Interior declares the CUP to be substantially complete.
The work of the commission will then be assumed by the Division of Wildlife Resources. Mr.
Weland presented a slide show demonstrating some of the mitigation projects funded by the
commission.
5. Clover Creek Coordinated Resources Management Plan - Mr. Norm Evenstad, Natural Resources Conservation Service, distributed a copy of the coordinated resource
management plan for the Clover Creek watershed and gave a slide presentation of the area. The
watershed is located in Tooele County and contains approximately 91,000 acres. The quality of
the drinking water is steadily declining and there is poor ground water recharge.
Mr. Jim Dobrowolski, Utah State University (USU) Watershed Science Unit, discussed
research being conducted on the Clover Creek watershed. The upper parts of the watershed are
dominated by juniper trees. They want to determine what changes occur in a water budget on a
pinyon-juniper site when the dominant vegetation shifts. When large areas of these trees are
managed, it must be done in an environmentally sound way as well as taking into consideration
the water and soil resources. Mr. Dobrowolski said extensive research will help to bring an
understanding of the effects of pinyon-juniper manipulation and custodial management.
6. Bear River Field Trip - Ms. Gochnour stated in late June state water officials, local water developers, and state officials were invited to participate in a helicopter tour of northern
Utah water facilities and Bear River development initiatives. She indicated that the governor
believes the state has an overriding and compelling public interest to be a partner in water
development issues. She noted that 80 percent of funding for water development has come from
local efforts. She indicated that the governor acknowledged that there will have to be a
significant amount of water development money appropriated in the next several decades. The
governor is very interested in creative ideas to address these problems. Bear River development
is currently the most important water development issue in the state. When and how it will be
developed will be the most important water decision in the next decade. She indicated the
governor recognizes the importance of these decisions and is committed to working together with
the commission on them. She noted there is an effort in the state called the Quality Growth
Public Private Partnership which the governor supports. The partnership is an effort to discuss
various patterns of growth in the future. There has been legislative funding to develop tools to
analyze growth. She suggested that it may be something to place on a future agenda to discuss.
Mr. Flint stated the trip was a very successful activity. It was a great opportunity and he
appreciated all those who participated.
Mr. Frank Nishiguchi, Bear River Water Conservancy District, stressed the importance of
continuing the process of educating the public and state and local officials about Utah's water
needs.
MOTION: Mr. Waddingham moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.