Enrolled Copy H.C.R. 1 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Grand County Water Conservancy District 2025 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Carl R. Albrecht Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins 2 3 LONG TITLE 4 General Description: 5 This resolution expresses support for the transfer of federal water infrastructure to the 6 Grand County Water Conservancy District. 7 Highlighted Provisions: 8 This resolution: 9 ▸ urges Congress to transfer to the Grand County Water Conservancy District water 10 infrastructure owned by the federal government for the conveyance of water from the 11 Green River to the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action project site. 12 Money Appropriated in this Bill: 13 None 14 Other Special Clauses: 15 None 16 17 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein: 18 WHEREAS, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) controls and operates a 19 pipeline, several pump stations, and a storage reservoir for the conveyance of water from the 20 Green River to the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) project site 21 located near Crescent Junction, Utah; 22 WHEREAS, the DOE holds the rights of way necessary to convey the water to the Moab 23 UMTRA project site using the existing water infrastructure; 24 WHEREAS, the DOE expects to complete the Moab UMTRA project in the near future and 25 will no longer need the water infrastructure or related rights of way; 26 WHEREAS, the water infrastructure currently controlled and operated by the DOE, if 27 transferred to the Grand County Water Conservancy District (district), could be used by the 28 district to provide water security to rural residents in and around northern Grand County; H.C.R. 1 Enrolled Copy 29 WHEREAS, persistent drought conditions, groundwater depletion, and privately-controlled 30 water delivery systems pose a serious risk to the water security of Utahns living in northern 31 Grand County, including rural towns like Thompson Springs; 32 WHEREAS, if the water infrastructure currently controlled and operated by the DOE were 33 transferred to the district, the district could continue delivering water to the Moab UMTRA 34 project site until the project's completion and provide water security to rural residents in 35 northern Grand County; 36 WHEREAS, the district holds approximately 2,500 acre feet annually of unused water 37 rights in the Green River that the district could access if the district operated the water 38 infrastructure currently controlled and operated by the DOE; 39 WHEREAS, the DOE supports the transfer of the water infrastructure to the district for the 40 benefit of local communities; 41 WHEREAS, the people of Utah have a long history of successful stewardship over the 42 management and delivery of Utah's water supply; 43 WHEREAS, the state water policy sets forth that the state "shall pursue adequate, reliable, 44 affordable, sustainable, and clean water resources," as described in Utah Code Subsection 45 73-1-21(a); and 46 WHEREAS, the state water policy sets forth that the state "will promote water resource 47 development and the creation of new water infrastructure necessary to meet the state's growing 48 demand and promote economic development," as described in Utah Code Subsection 49 73-1-21(b)(ii): 50 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the 51 Governor concurring therein, supports the transfer of federal water infrastructure described in 52 this resolution to the Grand County Water Conservancy District. 53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor 54 concurring therein, urges Congress to transfer the water infrastructure described in this 55 resolution to the Grand County Water Conservancy District. 56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the 57 members of Utah's congressional delegation. - 2 -