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By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondent

At least, for now, stay with the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD).

That was the advice of Byron Woodland, former Juab County Commissioner and a member of the board of trustees for CUWCD to Mona City Council.

Gerard Yates, the Water Quality/Treatment Manager for Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD), who grew up in Mona was also present.

“I have the highest regard for County Commission Chairman Richard Hansen,” said Woodland, “but we have a difference of opinion when it comes to CUWCD.”

Hansen attended council meeting recently to explain why he thought that the county should withdraw from CUWCD.

Woodland said he was present with the blessing of CUWCD and said that the last 14 years he had worked hard to protect the water of the county. He had worked for county interests for two terms as county commissioner and had worked, before that, as county economic development director.

“In 2019, CUWCD contracted with an engineering firm to do the Southern Utah County and Juab County Water Resource Plan,” said Woodland.

“They identified that in the next 30 years Juab County will need at least 6,000 acre feet of additional water,” he said. “That includes water for commercial and residential growth. It also takes into account that some of the agricultural water now being used will be converted to municipal water.”

One concern of the county residents was that Juab County has never received a drop of water from CUP (Central Utah Project).

“How may of our communities have actually approached CUWCD with an actual request and a time frame for delivery of water?” he asked. “With the exception of Eureka, I think none of the other communities have ever requested water from CUWCD.”

A second question was why the county residents were still paying taxes to CUP and not receiving anything from it?

“Property tax collections from Juab County from 1965 6o May 2021, equals $8,551,953 with $489,339 collected in 2020,” said Woodland.

Direct expenditures in Juab County by CUWCD in Juab County, include the East Juab County Water Efficiency Project, the School of Music Well improvements and the Power Plant Bypass. Those expenditures equal $15,488,278.

“If we were to leave CUWCD, there is no reason why they would reimburse the county for any taxes paid,” said Woodland. “We would owe them and would need to repay $7 million.”

“Nephi got the help but not Mona,” said Jay Mecham, council member.

“I have been trying to get answers,” said Bill Mills, mayor.

During the period of time ranging from 1965 until now, CUWCD has spent millions to develop the infrastructure to deliver water throughout the district.

Other concerns of residents of the county were that CUWCD does not have enough remaining water to provide for Juab County, additional water may promote additional and unwanted growth to our communities and some of our communities pay taxes into CUP but will never see any benefit.

There would be water available, said Woodland.

“What will we get?” asked Randy Christensen, council member. “Will we get what we ask for or will Nephi gobble it all up?”

Woodland said he would like to give some history of the county’s involvement with the water district.

“The residents of Juab County, by a large margin, voted to become part of the district in 1965,” he said. “In the 1980s there was discussion of building the ‘Spanish Fork to Nephi Pipeline’ that was to carry 42,000 acre feet of water to Juab County.”

There was some litigation involved and it was, fortunately, decided to abandon this project.

“I have a copy of a contract for this project that was never signed,” said Woodland.

In 2002, said Woodland, due to efforts by Ross Garrett, who served over 40 years on the Central Utah Water Conservancy board, including several years as vice president and president, was Juab County Commissioner for 12 years and Juab Stake President for 18, a “Resolution” was passed by the CUWCD board of trustees reserved 10,000 acre feet of water in Utah Lake for Juab County.

“Central Utah had by that time purchased significant underground and surface water rights that were owned by Geneva Steel,” said Woodland.

If that purchase had not been made, it would have gone to Nevada, because that state wanted to buy it. They also wanted to take water from the West Desert.

“We worked hard not to let our county water go to Las Vegas in the West Desert water grab,” he said.

Woodland said that the communities and Juab County need to carefully consider future water needs and existing resources and look at the need for future commercial and industrial development to provide a tax base.

“Use your best ‘crystal ball’ to figure out what climate change is going to do to us,” said Woodland. “Once needs are determined start negotiations with CUWCD for delivery of that water.”

He said it may take from five to 15 years for delivery of that water.

“At least, for now, stay with CUWCD,” said Woodland. “It is like a football game and the last two minutes are left.”

Do you give up when the score is close or do you try to make the winning touchdown?