Special Master Appointed

In a prior blog post, it was noted that the Utah Division of Water Rights had requested that the Third District Court appoint a Special Master to assist in resolving objections in the Utah Lake/Jordan River general adjudication. The process of selecting a Special Master has been ongoing for several months. Today, Judge Laura Scott issued an order appointing a Special Master. Rick L. Knuth was selected to serve as the Special Master.

The Special Master's duties, as provided by the order, include:
1--Actively manage objections, including scheduling, notifying the parties, holding status and settlement conferences, and holding hearings.
2--Encourage the parties to settle matters in dispute.
3--Designate subcases within the general adjudication case.
4--Identify the parties affected by a proposed settlement, provide notice to the affected parties, and hear objections to a proposed settlement.
5--Take evidence, oversee discovery, rule on procedural motions, and rule on substantive motions with a report and recommendation to the court.
6--Prepare a final report and recommendation for each subcase containing findings of fact and conclusions of law.

For more information about the Special Master selection process, click here.

Public Meeting Concerning the Proposed Determination in the West Mill Creek Area

The Utah Division of Water Rights has set a public meeting to discuss the general adjudication of water rights in the West Mill Creek area in Salt Lake County East Division of the Utah Lake / Jordan River Drainage (Area 57, Book 6). The West Mill Creek area is from Main Street on the east to the Jordan River on the west, and from approximately 2700 South on the north to approximately 4100 South on the south. The following information is from the public meeting notice:

What: Public Meeting
Who: Water Users within the West Mill Creek area
When: July 12, 2016, 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Where: Department of Natural Resources, Room 1050, 1594 W. North Temple, 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 West Mill Creek Subdivision, Salt Lake County East Division, of the Utah Lake and Jordan River drainage 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 West Mill Creek area to survey existing water rights and investigate water user's claims. 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 West Mill Creek 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 & Questions

For more information on the meeting, click here.

Public Meeting Regarding Water Rights from Farm Creek

The Utah Division of Water Rights has scheduled a meeting to discuss the water rights from Farm Creek, near Hanna and Tabiona in Duchesne County. The meeting will be held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Division of Water Rights' office in Vernal (318 North Vernal Avenue). All water users who have rights in Farm Creek are encouraged to attend.

For more information about the meeting, click here.