Matheson said it is likely that Duchesne, Iron and Uintah counties will get funds for rural water projects because they are high priorities. The legislation passed the House on Thursday, but the Senate has not voted on its version.

The House bill also includes approval for a study in Grand County to determine the extent of pollution from the Atlas mine tailings, which sit on the banks of the Colorado River. Washington County also will benefit from the bill with authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers to study how to reduce future flood damage along the Santa Clara River, which overflowed this spring.

"Communities are looking for help in providing clean and safe water to residents, at a time when flood impacts and tight budgets complicate the situation," said Matheson

"This funding will help them make long-awaited improvements in water infrastructure projects that protect human health and the environment.

"But while Matheson praised the funding, the Washington-based Taxpayers for Common Sense blasted the Water Resources Development Act. "This WRDA bill will be the most expensive, most pork-laden water resources bill the nation has seen in close to 20 years," the group said in a statement.

- Thomas Burr