By Rebecca Dopp
Times-News Correspondent
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, Golden Mangelson,
president of the Levan Irrigation Company, met with
Forest Service officials Tom Shore, District Ranger
from Ephraim, and Leland Matheson, Special Uses for
the north end of the forest, to discuss the future of
a concrete structure in Chicken Creek Canyon. This
structure has been in the canyon since 1985. It was
built by the city in conjunction with the Forest
Service to control erosion and divert flood waters
after the 1983-84 floods Levan City and the irrigation
company had hopes that this structure would help with
future water supply. However, that never came to pass
due to subsequent years of drought.
A permit issued by the Forest Service has expired
and the organization sent a renewal permit to Levan
Irrigation Company. This is a 20-year permit that
would expire Dec. 31, 2022. The company changed the
wording in one of the clauses and the Forest Service
denied renewing the permit stating that neither the
irrigation company nor the Forest Service could change
the wording.
The irrigation company would like to develop the
springs located above the structure. Mr. Shore
responded by saying that he didn't feel the springs
would produce a sufficient supply of water for the
town. Mr. Matheson informed Mr. Mangelson that in
order to develop the springs the irrigation company
would have to apply for permits, have environmental
impact studies done, and have at least one field
season to study impacts. A hydrologist would be needed
to overlook the instream flow if the structure were to
be used as a diversion. Mr. Shore did not have any
answers to the town's and irrigation company's
long-term plans. He stated that they could put in
applications and go from there.
In the end, the Forest Service left an unedited
permit with Mr. Mangelson. The irrigation company can
choose to sign the permit or decide what to do with
the structure. The question of taking the structure
out was addressed by the town council and Mr.
Mangelson. No action was taken at this meeting.
Further discussion is expected.
