A legislative task force took up the plan to peel back the limit on the 1/16th of a cent funding as a way to pay up-front costs for the proposed Lake Powell pipeline and Bear River project - which calls for a new dam and reservoir in northern Utah to furnish water for the Wasatch Front's growing population.

Both projects are long-term propositions. The Powell pipeline wouldn't be built until 2015; the Bear River project until at least 2025.

But proponents of the projects want to begin making rights-of-way and property purchases in the near future to save on the ultimate cost - an estimated $700 million for the two projects.

The sales tax proposal has been put forth by another task force studying how to pay for the project, and by Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, who also wants to see a local match attached to the state money.

But some call the idea of statewide funds going to the projects ill-conceived.

"Water should be funded locally, and through fees," said Mike Jerman, vice president of the Utah Taxpayers Association. "Earmarking revenues for specific purposes is bad budget policy. Various funding priorities should compete for the general revenues. That's how budget discipline is maintained. As you earmark money and put it on auto pilot, budget flexibility is decreased."

Others critics say it is a simple issue of fairness.

The Lake Powell pipeline would deliver water to residents in Washington, and perhaps Iron counties.

The Bear River water, as designated now, would go mostly to residents in Weber and Davis counties, and the southern part of Salt Lake County.

"The projects will deliver water to just a handful of counties, yet taxpayers around the state are being asked to pay for them," said Jeff Steadman, water conservation coordinator of the Utah Rivers Council.

Task force members disputed that contention. Rep. Ben Ferry, R-Corinne, said that with inclusion of Box Elder and Cache counties into the Bear River equation, about 85 percent of the state's residents should derive benefits from the projects.

"In the end, it's not disproportionate."

But Ure believes that any statewide funding scheme for the Powell pipeline and Bear River proposals needs to be matched locally, whether it's 40 percent or 50 percent.

"I've found money is more wisely spent if the [local governments] have to contribute themselves," he said.

jbaird@sltrib.com