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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill addresses Bear Lake.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ provides that development of Bear Lake be consistent with certain principles;
13 ▸ recognizes certain principles related to Bear Lake; and
14 ▸ makes technical changes.
15 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 None
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 65A-2-7, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 295
22 ENACTS:
23 73-1-22, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 65A-2-7 is amended to read:
27 65A-2-7. Development of Bear Lake.
28 The division shall:
29 (1) designate state lands along Highway 30 from the Ideal Beach RV Park and
30 Spinnaker Marina southward approximately four miles to Rendezvous Beach State Park, which
31 lands are located in Township 13N, Range 5E, Sections 003, 010, 015, 022, and 023, as an area
32 for the ongoing development of facilities for boating, fishing, beach going, swimming, parking,
33 picnicking, and other recreational activities; and
34 (2) develop the area described in Subsection (1):
35 (a) consistent with the division's Bear Lake comprehensive management plan and
36 Section 73-1-22; and
37 (b) as funding allows.
38 Section 2. Section 73-1-22 is enacted to read:
39 73-1-22. Bear Lake principles.
40 The state recognizes the following:
41 (1) Bear Lake was a natural lake at the time Utah gained statehood and remains a
42 highly valued resource for Bear Lake's native fisheries, recreation, and distinctive
43 characteristics, including water clarity and mineral and chemical uniqueness, giving Bear Lake
44 the intense turquoise blue color for which Bear Lake is known all over the world.
45 (2) While serving as a reservoir, Bear Lake retains Bear Lake's basic native form and
46 character, preserving much of Bear Lake's valued scenic beauty, navigability, and lake-related
47 recreation opportunities. It is the desire and expectation of the state that Bear Lake and Bear
48 Lake's inherent qualities and characteristics be preserved for future generations.
49 (3) The state desires to prevent Bear Lake's degradation in quality and functions and to
50 preserve and enhance Bear Lake's unique characteristics, including native fish and wildlife,
51 unique water quality, native lake bed, navigation, littoral rights, lake-related recreation, and
52 irrigation storage.
53 (4) Bear Lake has been operated as a reservoir since the early 1900s to store water for
54 irrigation, flood control, and incidental power generation, which has enhanced agricultural
55 productivity and prosperity in the Bear River Basin, and will remain an essential irrigation
56 water supply into the future. The state supports enhancement of the operational utility of Bear
57 Lake for irrigation storage purposes.
58 (5) To achieve the goals of this section, the state encourages collaboration among
59 agencies and stakeholders to help preserve and enhance such interests.
60 (6) Nothing in this section is intended to impair or constrain the operation of Bear
61 Lake, to interfere with or change any water rights, or to appropriate any water.
62 Section 3. Effective date.
63 This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.