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MINUTES OF THE
NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Friday,
January 30, 2026
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8:00 a.m.
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210 Senate Building
Members Present:
Sen. David P. Hinkins, Senate Chair
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow, House Chair
Rep. Scott H. Chew, Vice Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Calvin R. Musselman
Sen. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht
Rep. John Arthur
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
| Rep. Logan J. Monson
Rep. Hoang Nguyen
Rep. Troy Shelley
Rep. Rex P. Shipp
Members Absent:
Sen. Daniel McCay
Rep. Casey Snider
Staff Present:
Ivan D. Djambov, Finance Manager
Lacey K. Moore, Finance Officer
Tisha Gibby, Committee Secretary
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Chair Hinkins called the meeting to order at 8:11 a.m. |
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| 2.Colorado River Authority |
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| 2. Colorado River Authority Presentation |
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| Amy Haas, Director, Colorado River Authority of Utah (CRAU), presented. |
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| Rep. Albrecht spoke about Blue Mesa Reservoir water levels and energy production. Chair Hinkins responded. |
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| Amy Haas continued presenting. |
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| 3. Water Quality Presentation |
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| Candice Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Quality, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), presented. |
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| 4. Drinking Water Presentation |
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| Nathan Lunstad, Director, Division of Drinking Water, DEQ, presented. |
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| 5.Approval of Minutes from January 22nd and January 26th |
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| MOTION:Rep. Barlow moved to approve the January 22 and January 26, 2026 minutes.The motion
passed
with a vote of
10-0-7.
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| Yeas -
10 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
7 | |
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Barlow
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. H. Nguyen
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Sen. J. Stevenson
| | Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. McCay
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Sandall
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. R. Winterton
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| Joel Ferry, Utah Water Agent, presented. |
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| Sen. Musselman asked for an update on cloud seeding. Joel Ferry responded. |
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| Sen. Musselman spoke about deep water aquifers. Joel Ferry responded. |
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| Sen. Sandall emphasized the rate of water evaporation in conifer forests. Joel Ferry responded. |
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| Rep. Barlow expressed appreciation for Joel Ferry and the work being done. |
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| Rep. Albrecht made a comment about the high water needs of conifer trees. Joel Ferry responded. |
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| 7. Water Rights Presentation |
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| Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer, and Director, Division of Water Rights, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), presented. |
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| Rep. Shipp inquired regarding ground water rights. Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| Rep. Arthur asked about water rights and over appropriation. Teresa Wilhelmsen and Chair Hinkins responded. |
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| Rep. Shelley expressed appreciation and asked about well drilling. Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| 8. Division of Water Resources handout |
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| 8. Water Resources Presentation |
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| Joel Williams, Interim Director, Division of Water Resources, DNR, presented. |
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| Chair Hinkins requested clarification about equipment costs. Joel Williams responded. |
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| 9.Great Salt Lake Commissioner |
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| 9. Great Salt Commissioner Presentation |
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| Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake Commissioner, presented with the assistance of Hannah Freeze, Great Salt Lake Deputy Commissioner. |
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| Chair Hinkins asked about boat launching and lake levels. Brian Steed responded. |
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| Rep. Chew asked about per capita water use. Brian Steed responded. |
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| Rep. Albrecht asked how the $50 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation will be used. Hannah Freeze responded. |
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| Rep. Shipp commended the Commissioners. |
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| Rep. Arthur thanked the commissioners and asked about salinity management of the north and south arms of the Great Salt Lake. Brian Steed responded. |
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| Chair Hinkins inquired regarding wildlife on Antelope Island. Brian Steed responded. |
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| 10.RFA: Utah FFA Association (Sen. Owens) |
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| 10. RFA Form: Utah FFA Association |
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| 10. RFA Handout: Utah FFA Association |
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| Sen. Derrin Owens presented the request with the assistance of William "Buddy" Deimler, former Education Specialist, Utah State Office of Education. |
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| Chair Hinkins asked for clarification on funding. Sen. Owens responded. |
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| Rep. Shelley emphasized the importance of educating youth about agriculture and expressed support for the funding request. |
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| Rep. Shipp expressed support for the Future Farmers of America (FFA). |
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| Rep. Albrecht spoke about the importance of having the youth learn about agriculture. |
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| Sen. Owens commended Terry Camp and the Farm Bureau for the support of FFA. Chair Hinkins responded. |
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| There was no other business. |
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| MOTION:Rep. Shipp moved to adjourn.The motion
passed
with a vote of
7-0-10.
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| Yeas -
7 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
10 | |
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. S. Barlow
Sen. D. Hinkins
Rep. H. Nguyen
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
| | Sen. N. Blouin
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Kohler
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Sandall
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
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| Chair Hinkins adjourned the meeting at 10:21 a.m. |
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