MINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE WATER DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • 4:00 p.m. • 110 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Keven J. Stratton, Senate Chair
Rep. Thomas W. Peterson, House Chair
Sen. David P. Hinkins
Sen. Jen Plumb
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht
Rep. Scott H. Chew
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
Rep. Hoang Nguyen
Rep. Doug Owens
Cody Allred
Steven Clyde
Nathan Daugs
Wade Garrett
Jay Mark Humphrey
Scott Paxman
Warren Peterson
Zach Renstrom
Gene Shawcroft

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams
Sen. Don L. Ipson
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Rep. Bridger Bolinder
Rep. Casey Snider
Michael D. Larson
David Ure

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, Policy Analyst
Julie Humberstone, Managing Policy Analyst
Patricia Owen, Senior Associate General Counsel
Ryan C. Williams, Associate General Counsel
Kaelie Mortensen, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Stratton called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
1.Commission Business
1 - Legislative Water Development Commission Information Packet (OLRGC)
MOTION:Rep. Peterson moved to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2024, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. H. Nguyen
Rep. T. Peterson
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. D. Ipson
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. C. Snider
2.Water Update
2 - Water Supply (Division of Water Resources)
Candice Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Resources gave a presentation on the status of water in the state.
The commission asked questions of Candice Hasenyager.
3.Tropic Reservoir
3 - The Impacts of Restricted Storage at Tropic Reservoir (Garfield County)
Leland Pollock, Commissioner, Garfield County, and David Dodds, Director, Garfield Public Works, gave a presentation on issues related to Tropic Reservoir.
The committee asked questions of Leland Pollock and David Dodds.
Tawn Mangum, President, Tropic & East Sevier Irrigation Company, provided information on the Tropic Reservoir Issue.
The commission asked questions of Tawn Mangum.
3 - Tropic Reservoir and Otter Creek Water Storage Update (Utah Division of Water Rights)
Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer, Division of Water Rights, and Terry Monroe, Regional Engineer, Division of Water Rights gave a presentation on Tropic Reservoir and Otter Creek water storage.
The commission asked questions of Teresa Wilhelmsen and Terry Monroe.
3 - Tropic Reservoir Agreement
Matthew Mills, President, Otter Creek Reservoir Company, and Dustin Christensen, President, Sevier Valley Canaal Company, gave a presentation on the Otter Creek Reservoir and the agreement with Tropic Reservoir.
The commission asked questions of Matthew Mills and Dustin Christensen and discussed the issue further.
Rep. Peterson assumed the chair.
4.Stream Access
Jamie Barnes, Director, Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands, and Michael Begley, Office of the Utah Attorney General gave a presentation on recreational stream access and navigable waterways.
5.Low Impact Development & Stormwater
5 - Stormwater Management and Great Salt Lake (Division of Water Quality)
Chair Peterson gave a brief introduction to the issue of low impact development and municipal storm drain systems.
5 - Stormwater Management and Great Salt Lake (Division of Water Quality)
John Mackey, Director, Division of Water Quality gave a presentation on stormwater management related to studies done on low impact development.
1 - Legislative Water Development Commission Information Packet (OLRGC)
5 - H.B. 546 "Water Infrastructure Amendments" (2025 General Session)
6.Water Tier Pricing
6 - Tiered Water Rates Legislative History (OLRGC)
6 - Tiered Water Rates (Division of Water Resources)
Candace Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Resources, Laura Briefer, Director, Department of Public Utilities, Salt Lake City Corporation, gave a presentation on tiered water rates.
Sen. Stratton resumed the chair.
5 - H.B. 546 "Water Infrastructure Amendments" (2025 General Session)
Justin Lee, Deputy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, gave a brief presentation on H.B 546 "Water Infrastructure Amendments."
7.Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. H. Nguyen
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. D. Ipson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Chair Stratton adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.