Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HCR001 Latest Draft

Bill / Enrolled Version Filed 02/07/2025

                            Enrolled Copy	H.C.R. 1
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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
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This resolution expresses support for the transfer of federal water infrastructure to the
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Grand County Water Conservancy District.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This resolution:
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▸ urges Congress to transfer to the Grand County Water Conservancy District water
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infrastructure owned by the federal government for the conveyance of water from the
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Green River to the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action project site.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
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       WHEREAS, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) controls and operates a
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pipeline, several pump stations, and a storage reservoir for the conveyance of water from the
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Green River to the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) project site
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located near Crescent Junction, Utah;
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       WHEREAS, the DOE holds the rights of way necessary to convey the water to the Moab
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UMTRA project site using the existing water infrastructure;
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       WHEREAS, the DOE expects to complete the Moab UMTRA project in the near future and
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will no longer need the water infrastructure or related rights of way;
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       WHEREAS, the water infrastructure currently controlled and operated by the DOE, if
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transferred to the Grand County Water Conservancy District (district), could be used by the
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district to provide water security to rural residents in and around northern Grand County; H.C.R. 1	Enrolled Copy
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       WHEREAS, persistent drought conditions, groundwater depletion, and privately-controlled
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water delivery systems pose a serious risk to the water security of Utahns living in northern
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Grand County, including rural towns like Thompson Springs;
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       WHEREAS, if the water infrastructure currently controlled and operated by the DOE were
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transferred to the district, the district could continue delivering water to the Moab UMTRA
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project site until the project's completion and provide water security to rural residents in
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northern Grand County;
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       WHEREAS, the district holds approximately 2,500 acre feet annually of unused water
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rights in the Green River that the district could access if the district operated the water
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infrastructure currently controlled and operated by the DOE;
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       WHEREAS, the DOE supports the transfer of the water infrastructure to the district for the
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benefit of local communities;
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       WHEREAS, the people of Utah have a long history of successful stewardship over the
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management and delivery of Utah's water supply;
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       WHEREAS, the state water policy sets forth that the state "shall pursue adequate, reliable,
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affordable, sustainable, and clean water resources," as described in Utah Code Subsection
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73-1-21(a); and
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       WHEREAS, the state water policy sets forth that the state "will promote water resource
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development and the creation of new water infrastructure necessary to meet the state's growing
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demand and promote economic development," as described in Utah Code Subsection
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73-1-21(b)(ii):
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       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
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Governor concurring therein, supports the transfer of federal water infrastructure described in
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this resolution to the Grand County Water Conservancy District.
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       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
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concurring therein, urges Congress to transfer the water infrastructure described in this
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resolution to the Grand County Water Conservancy District.
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       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the
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members of Utah's congressional delegation.
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