Utah Stream Access Coalition v. Park

The Utah Stream Access Coalition has filed a second lawsuit seeking access to rivers and streams for recreation. The first lawsuit centered on the Provo River, and was a constitutional challenge to the 2010 stream access law passed by the Utah Legislature. This second lawsuit centers on the Weber River, and was filed in Summit County.

The complaint alleges that the Weber River was navigable when Utah became a state and, therefore, that the bed of the Weber River belongs to the State and not to the landowners adjoining the river. The complaint further alleges that the defendants, who are adjoining landowners, have wrongfully posted 'No Trespassing' signs, erected barbed wire fences across the river, and otherwise attempted to prevent members of the public from accessing the bed of the river. The Coalition is asking the court for a judgment declaring that the bed of the Weber River belongs to the State and for an injunction prohibiting the defendants from denying the public access to the river bed.