addressed the projected issues and findings in each of these areas for the year 2020.
Demographic and economic projections show that by the year 2020 population growth will
average approximately 43,000 new residents a year, population is projected to increase from 1.62
million to 2.7 million, and homes and apartments for approximately 17,400 new households each
year will need to be provided.
Transportation projections include: vehicle miles of travel will increase faster than
population; the demand for travel will continue to exceed the state's ability to fund transportation
infrastructure; and total transportation infrastructure development will cost $9.7 billion between
1995 and 2020. This equates to $3,600 per person and $10,121 per household.
Projected air quality issues and findings include: the emissions of all five major pollutants
will increase; increases in automobile travel are a primary concern; and the new National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are stricter and will make attainment much more
difficult.
Projections show that the availability of water will not be a constraint to growth through
2020. However, the cost of new water development will be the most significant water issue.
Real water rates are projected to increase by 50 percent from 1995 to 2020.
Land use projections for the year 2020 show the urban portion of the Greater Wasatch Area
will nearly double from 320 square miles in 1995 to 590 square miles, densities will increase
from 72 persons per square mile in 1995 to 119 persons per square mile, and urban expansion
will result in the loss of nearly 66,00 acres of irrigated agricultural lands (a 13 percent reduction).
Chairman Brown asked if the water projections were based on the assumption that land use
will change from agricultural to residential use. Mr. Barber
confirmed that the availability of water depends on the conversion of agricultural water to municipal use.
Mr. Barber
briefly outlined the projections for the year 2050. He noted population is projected to be 5 million people with more than half of all irrigated land being converted to urban
use. The most critical issue is the presence of significant constraints and quality of life issues
regarding air quality, water supply, land availability, and costs. He said that planners should
consider how their actions will impact the area in 2050. He also emphasized that their entire
effort is not a final report but rather a work in progress.
4. Telecommunications Conference_ L. J. Godfrey, Government Affairs, AT&T Utah, and Jerold G. Oldroyd, Utah Coalition of Competitive Telephone Carriers , informed the committee of an up-coming seminar that would provide information for policy makers regarding the Federal Telecommunications Act and other related issues. They requested the support of the
Legislature with attendance at this seminar on November 19- 20, 1997.
Sen. Howell asked about the current rate case. Mr. Oldroyd said the main issue is rate
rebalancing, which may need to be dealt with by the Legislature.
Chairman Brown said that members of the Legislature will be encouraged to participate and
they are always interested in opportunities to become better informed.
5. Report on Field Trip by the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee _ Sen. Blackham highlighted the committee's September 4-5, 1997 field trip to Washington County and the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument.
Committee members toured the existing and proposed water development facilities at the
Washington County Water Conservancy District. The district has identified a reservoir site and
proposed that a state park be established on the reservoir to accommodate the demand for water-
based recreation. The committee also discussed the proposed Lake Powell pipeline project.
Sen. Blackham reviewed the presentations given by Kate Cannon, Associate Manager for the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument;
Bob Walton,
Sierra Club; and Lousie Listion, Garfield County Commission regarding concerns about the monument.
Sen. Blackham said that representatives from Wayne County Water Conservancy District made the committee aware of a proposal to divert water from the Fremont River and create an
off-stream reservoir. Dale Liston, New Escalante Irrigation Company, asked the Legislature for
assistance in developing a new reservoir to deliver water to irrigated lands in Escalante. Gordon
Topham, Regional Manager, Division of Parks and Recreation, noted that the state parks in the
vicinity of the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument
have experienced increased visitation and a large increase in rescue and emergency services is anticipated.
6. Sunset Review Notification _ Mr. Strong referred to a letter that was sent to agencies that are scheduled to sunset in 1998. The letters were sent on July 29, 1997,
notifying those agencies that to be reauthorized they should contact a member of the Legislature and ask that legislator to
sponsor a bill which either extends or removes the repeal date from the statute. A few
Legislators have filed bills for agencies.
7. Native American Legislative Liaison Committee Request _ Mr. Strong reviewed a letter from the Native American Legislative Liaison Committee
requesting that their expenses be covered for meetings with the Ute tribe
on September 19, 1997. These meetings will be held in conjunction with the Legislature's visit to the Uintah Basin in September. Chairman Brown
asked if funds are available. Mark Bleazard, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, said there
were adequate funds available.
MOTION: Rep. Davis moved to approve the request of the Native American Legislative Liaison Committee for funding
of the September meeting with the Ute tribe. The motion passed unanimously. Sens. Blackham, Hillyard and Hull, and Rep. Valentine were absent for the vote.
8. Other Business _ President Beattie noted that the clerks and secretaries would be attending a conference on October 15, 1997 and because
interim day is scheduled for that same date, he requested that interim meetings be postponed until October 22, 1997.
Sen. Howell asked how this change would affect other October meetings. Mr. Strong said
that the Legislative Process Committee and the Executive Appropriations Committee meetings
would likely also be rescheduled.
Rep. Buffmire noted that the Mental Health Association has planned an event that may be
affected by this change and suggested they be informed.
MOTION: President Beattie moved that the October interim committee meetings be rescheduled from October 15, 1997 to October 22, 1997. The motion passed unanimously.
Sens. Blackham, Hillyard, and Hull, and Rep. Valentine
were absent for the vote.
The members noted that the Executive Appropriations Committee would be rescheduled for
October 21, 1997.
9.
Adjournment --
MOTION: Rep. Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Sens. Blackham, Hillyard, and Hull, and Rep. Valentine
were absent for the vote.