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Bear River Development Act (Utah Code: Title 73 Water and Irrigation; Chapter 26)

Country/Territory
United States of America
Territorial subdivision
Utah
Document type
Legislation
Date
2018
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Water
Keyword
River basin institution Surface water Freshwater resources management Inland waters Water abstraction Water supply Water rights
Geographical area
Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic
Abstract

This chapter of the Utah Code adopts the Bear River Development Act. It provides that the Board of Water Resources has significant filings for water of the Bear River that could be developed; the continued growth and prosperity of communities in the Bear River Basin and the Wasatch Front will be enhanced by the development and utilization of the Bear River, one of the last major sources of developable water in the state; and that Bear River water developed by the state should be apportioned in an equitable manner taking into consideration the increasing water needs of the state's growing urban population; and preservation of future supplies for areas where the water originates; or that are adjacent to the water and can be conveniently supplied by it. Therefore, it is the purpose of this chapter to: (a) direct the Division of Water Resources to develop the surface waters of the Bear River and its tributaries covered by filings of the board, filings acquired from the Bureau of Reclamation, or new filings, as approved by the state engineer; (b) allocate the developed waters among various regions and entities; and (c) provide protection for existing rights. Finally, the chapter provides that nothing in this chapter shall: (a) cover groundwater; or (b) be construed to prevent any person from developing: (i) groundwater pursuant to state law; or (ii) the surface waters of the Bear River or its tributaries at any site including sites studied by the state.

Full text
English
Website
le.utah.gov