After getting the council to dip a toe into water policy several months ago - by persuading them to send a county representative to statewide meetings - Olsen is pushing Cache's elected officials deeper into the pond.

After Olsen's lead, Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, recently sponsored a bill that became a law that allows the Cache County Council to direct water issues without a water conservancy district.

Cache County Secretary Lynn Lemon was designated the water representative and began traveling to meetings where the future of this desert state's scarcest resource is the topic of debate.

On Tuesday, Olsen said this just isn't enough. Cache County should be doing more than attending meetings, he said. Elected officials representing county residents should be hosting meetings.

There will come a time when drilling another well or buying water from farmers will no longer be sufficient to handle population growth, Olsen said. If other regions of the state proceed with proposals - such as building the Washiki Dam or raising Willard Bay to hold more water or running 200 miles of pipeline from Lake Powell to St. George - Cache County residents should have their interests guarded by their elected officials, he said.

Olsen recommended county-sponsored meetings involving representatives from each of the cities and towns in Cache County.

“What are your water needs that will take care of growth to the year 2030 or beyond? What are your plans to get more water and how are you planning to pay for it? How secure are your water rights? Will you be infringing on your neighboring towns? What do you suggest we do to preserve the water allocated to the region?” Olsen asked, offering to work part time at the effort to get things started. “If you bring everyone involved into the discussion, they will likely have more support for what the council finally decides to do.”

Lemon and members of the Cache County Council were supportive of the Olsen's suggestions, though they took no formal action.

abrunson@sltrib.com