Beginning April 1, Mike Zuhl, a political insider who oversaw Scott Matheson Jr.'s failed gubernatorial campaign, will begin lobbying Salt Lake County officials on behalf of the district.

"We do have a tentative agreement," Zuhl confirmed.

Sewer district officials were out of town, and did not return multiple messages.

The Salt Lake Tribune has learned the district will hire a second lobbyist to help Zuhl under a $30,000 contract. On the short list: former acting County Mayor Alan Dayton, former County Commissioner Brent Overson and longtime lobbyists Rob Jolley and Charlie Evans.

Dayton acknowledged hearing the talk, but said, "I have never, ever spoken to these guys."

"Even if they were going to talk to me, I would have to wait until the end of April, and even then, I don't know if I'd be interested."

The county retained Dayton as a legislative consultant, which could include duties during the April special session.

Besides, he said, taking such a job would bring criticism due to his recent ties to and intimate knowledge of county government.

Earlier this month, sewer district officials gave a presentation before the County Council and Mayor Peter Corroon, emphasizing the need for a new sewer plant along the Jordan River. City planners in Riverton recently approved a conditional-use permit for a facility between 13100 South and 13400 South north of Bangerter Highway.

The current sewage plant in West Jordan, officials insist, is near capacity. The problem, they argue, will be exacerbated by rapid growth across the valley's south end. District officials already have invested $2.5 million by purchasing 57 acres along the river bottom for the plant.

But before water can be treated and discharged into the Jordan, county leaders must amend the federally required Water Quality Management Plan, known as the 208 Plan. That process is a bit uncertain - is it a legislative or executive function? - since it last occurred before the county changed to a mayor-council government.

Meantime, Riverton residents and environmentalist groups fear they could get cut out of the discussion.

"They're going to do everything they can to put a fence around the public process and stop it," Jeff Salt, an advocate for protecting the river, said about the sewer district. "We want to put in a gate and open it."

Councilman Cort Ashton, who represents Riverton, says he already has been approached by sewer district officials and South Valley mayors who back the project. They "put a little heat on me."

Ashton acknowledges a clear need for more sewer capacity, but says the economics appear cloudy.

"If this is the right thing, then bring it on," he said. "But nobody's proved that to me yet."

djensen@sltrib.com