Public Meeting Concerning the Proposed Determination in the Harmony Park East Area

The Utah Division of Water Rights has set a public meeting to discuss the proposed determination of water rights within the Harmony Park East Subdivision, Salt Lake County East Division of Utah Lake/Jordan River Drainage Area (Area No. 57, Book 4).  The Harmony Park East Subdivision is the area between 3300 South and 3900 South, and between Main Street and 700 East, in Salt Lake County. The following information is from the public meeting notice:

What: Public Meeting

Who: Water Users within the Harmony Park East Area

When: September 16, 2015, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Where: Granite Connection High School Auditorium, 501 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City

Purpose: In accordance with Chapter 73-4, Utah Code Annotated, and the Third Judicial District Court (Civil No. 360057298), the State Engineer is authorized and ordered to conduct a general determination of the rights to the use of all water, both surface and underground, within the drainage area of the Harmony Park East Subdivision, Salt Lake County East Division, of the Utah Lake and Jordan River Drainage Area in Salt Lake County. Efforts are currently underway and over the next few months, representatives of the Division of Water Rights will be working in the Harmony Park East area to survey existing water use, contact water users, and review the water rights of record.  In light of this work, the public is invited to a Public Meeting.  Representatives from the Division of Water Rights will be available during this time to discuss the adjudication process, review water rights within the area, and answer questions. If individuals cannot attend, but have questions regarding the adjudication process or water rights within the Harmony Park East Area; please contact Blake Bingham at (801) 538-7345.

Agenda:

1. Introduction - Blake Bingham, P.E., Adjudication Program Manager

2. Adjudication process presentation

3. Public comments and questions

For more information on the meeting, click here.

Proposed Appointment of a Special Master in General Adjudication

Recently, the Utah Division of Water Rights has asked the Third District Court to appoint a Special Master in the Utah Lake and Jordan River General Adjudication.  A Special Master is a person appointed by the court to take specific action on behalf of the court.  In the General Adjudication, the Division is asking to have a Special Master assist with resolving objections filed on the various Proposed Determinations in the General Adjudication.  The appointment of a Special Master in a General Adjudication is something that is new in Utah.  The proposal to appoint a Special Master is currently being advertised, and interested parties can file an opposition with the court.

Additional information, including the court pleadings, regarding the proposal to appoint a Special Master are available here.  The notice that was published is included below.

NOTICE TO WATER USERS OF MOTION TO APPOINT A MASTER IN THE UTAH LAKE AND JORDAN RIVER GENERAL DETERMINATION OF WATER RIGHTS.
A motion to appoint a master pursuant to Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 53 has been filed: IN THE MATTER OF THE GENERAL DETERMINATION OF RIGHTS TO THE USE OF WATER, BOTH SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND, WITHIN THE DRAINAGE AREA OF THE UTAH LAKE AND JORDAN RIVER IN UTAH, SALT LAKE, DAVIS, SUMMIT, WASATCH, SANPETE, AND JUAB COUNTIES IN UTAH. This action is pending in the Third Judicial District in and for Salt Lake County, State of Utah, Civil No. 360057298. The Division of Water Rights (State Engineer’s Office) has filed a motion to appoint a master pursuant to Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 53. Parties may obtain a copy of the motion and associated documents at www.waterrights.utah.gov/miscinfo/currentIssues.asp or on file with the 3rd District Court. Opposing memoranda are due within 30 days of the last date of publication of the notice; replies to opposing memoranda are due within 30 days of the final date for filing opposing memoranda. The Court has set a hearing on the motion on October 19, 2015 at 1:30 PM located at 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860, in room S32. For more information please contact the Utah Division of Water Rights at 801-538-7240 or the Attorney General’s Office at 801-538-7227.