Utah Government's Role in Water Resources The following list chronicles the gradual evolution of the state's role in water resources planning and management since statehood.
		1897	The Office of the State Engineer (later renamed the Division of Water Rights) was established to oversee water appropriations.
		1903	The Water Code became part of Utah law and the doctrines of "Prior-Appropriation" and "Beneficial Use" were officially adopted.
		1921	The Utah Water Storage Commission was created to oversee important water developments and obtain the necessary water rights.
		1935	Ground water was added to the state water code.
		1947	The Utah Water and Power Board was created to continue the mission of the Utah Water Storage Commission, which was discontinued in 1941.
		1953	The Bureau of Water Pollution Control was created.
		1963	Specific legislation was passed directing the Water and Power Board to develop a state water plan.
		1967	The Water and Power Board was renamed the Board of Water Resources, and the Division of Water Resources was created.
		1979	The Bureau of Drinking Water and Sanitation was created.
		1991	The Department of Environmental Quality was created. As part of this department, the Division of Drinking Water and the Division of Water Quality were formed, replacing the Bureau of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the Bureau of Water Pollution Control.

Utah's Water Planning History

Organized water resources management and planning activities have a longer history in Utah than in most other western states. Beginning in 1847 with the settlement of the Salt Lake Valley, groups were sent out by Brigham Young, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to settle what would later become the state of Utah and the surrounding region. Because of the harshness of the terrain and climate, the success of these communities relied heavily on reliable water sources. Before settlement of any area occurred, an advance company was typically sent to survey the land and identify potential water supplies. Once a promising site was located, a group of settlers was organized and leaders appointed. These leaders organized water development crews and oversaw water appropriations for the benefit of the entire community.

Gradually, government entities assumed a larger role in water resources management and planning. Today, Utah has an established legal and institutional structure to guide the comprehensive planning and management of its water resources (see sidebar).

In the early 1960s, the state began to focus more attention on preparing a statewide water plan to guide Utah's water resources development through the end of the century. In 1963, the Utah Water and Power Board along with Utah State University published a document entitled, "Developing a State Water Plan: Utah's Water Resources–Problems and Needs–a Challenge." This document initiated a statewide reconnaissance of Utah's water resources and provided a significant building block for future state water planning. With the creation of the Board of Water Resources and Division of Water Resources in 1967, Utah's dedication to comprehensive water planning was again emphasized.

Between 1972 and 1985, the Division of Water Resources continued its comprehensive water planning effort and published a series of documents entitled, "The State of Utah Water."¹ These reports provided refined water supply and use estimates. They also explored a wide range of possible uses of Utah's remaining unused water supplies including the potential to redistribute water resources through large scale interbasin transfers and the development of water resources for mineral extraction.

The 1990 State Water Plan and Subsequent River Basin Plans

A landmark publication that resulted from state water planning efforts was the 1990 Utah State Water Plan. This document was a comprehensive water plan and resource inventory for the state and provided a basis for more detailed planning at the hydrologic river basin level. Subsequent plans for each of the state's basin plan areas, shown in Figure 1, have been completed.² These river basin plans inventory basin water supplies, provide present and future water use information, and address problems and issues facing local water resources stakeholders. These plans are being used by local and statewide planners to make informed water resources decisions.

The Current Plan

As part of the state water planning effort that produced the 1990 Utah State Water Plan, a list of guiding principles was created. Since that time, these principles have been updated and revised to reflect the changing needs of state water planning. The following guiding principles were used to develop this document:

• All waters, whether surface or subsurface, are held in trust by the state as public property and their use is subject to rights administered by the State Engineer.
• Water rights owners are entitled to transfer their rights under free market conditions. Any change in place or nature of use is subject to approval by the State Engineer.
• The state of Utah's role is to set policy, provide assistance and protect statewide water resource interests.
• The responsibility for making many local decisions regarding water resources resides with local leaders.
• Educating the public on water resources issues and seeking their input in the decision-making process is vital to effective planning, management and development.
• Long-term water planning will help ensure sufficient water supplies when and where needed for Utah's growing population.

  	Water development will be needed to meet future demands. This development will be based on sound engineering, economic and environmental principles. (Photo of Adams Reservoir reconstruction near Kaysville.)

• Local, state and federal water resources planning and management activities should be coordinated to effect cooperation and minimize duplication.
• The maintenance of water quality within the state's water quality standards will help sustain all present and future uses of Utah's water resources.
• Water conservation and efficient management of existing water supplies are needed to help satisfy future water demands in the most economical and timely fashion.
• Water development, based on sound engineering, economic and environmental principles, will help meet future water needs.
• Recreation, aesthetic and environmental uses of water should be included in water planning, management and development activities.

	ater quality, environmental and other values need to be properly addressed in order to make good water-related decisions.

In order to make good water development and management decisions, water quality, environmental and other values need to be properly addressed. The state must assume a leading role in handling these unique challenges and assist local stakeholders in formulating working solutions that are in compliance with state and federal laws. Coordination and cooperation between local, state and federal stakeholders, on these and other issues, will help meet the water needs of Utah's citizens in an efficient and timely manner.

RELATED LINKS
	Utah Water Agencies • Department of Natural Resources • Division of Water Resources • Division of Water Rights • Department of Environmental Quality • Division of Drinking Water • Division of Water Quality		Western State Water Agencies • Arizona Dept. of Water Resources • California Dept. of Water Resources • Colorado Division of Water Resources • Idaho Dept. of Water Resources • Nevada Division of Water Planning • Wyoming Water Development Commission Other State Water Plans • California • Nevada • Texas • Wyoming