This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah House wants the federal government to keep out of Utah water regulation — and stop the U.S. Environment Protection Agency as it claims some expanded jurisdiction.
Representatives voted 64-9 Wednesday to pass HCR1, and sent it to the Senate to support and encourage Attorney General Sean Reyes to join in a lawsuit seeking to vacate the new EPA rule.
Its sponsor, Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, said the EPA is seeking to expand federal jurisdiction over a broad range of dry washes, gullies, coulees and arroyos that only move water after rain. He said it could force ranchers, farmers and others to obtain permits for long-existing activities in such areas.
"We as a state have a very good record of keeping our water clean, protecting our water rights and have a good adjudication process," he said. "We certainly don't need additional law and regulations to deal with that."
Lee Davidson