The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District continues to manage long-term resource stability through its active Drought Contingency Plan and a formal application process for replacement water. The District's current public resources include various assessments regarding climate vulnerability and water conservation updates.
Established Drought Management Protocols
According to Weber Basin Water Conservancy District records, the agency's Drought Contingency Plan was finalized in 2018. This plan was developed through a collaborative effort involving a wide range of local stakeholders.
The District noted that the 2018 planning process brought together agricultural users, municipal entities, irrigation companies, and industrial users. The primary goal of this collaboration was to establish appropriate measures and specific demand reductions to be implemented during periods of drought within the region.
Environmental Planning Resources
In addition to the 2018 contingency framework, the District maintains several other critical environmental and resource studies. These documents are available to the public as part of the District's ongoing planning and resource management efforts.
Available executive summaries and reports include a Climate Vulnerability Assessment and a draft update for the Water Conservation Plan. The District also provides access to the Multihazard Mitigation Plan Update from 2023, the Ogden Valley Water Master Plan, and a Water Impact Fee Facilities Plan and Impact Fee Analysis.
Replacement Water Application Process
The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District also maintains a specific administrative procedure for users requesting replacement water. This process requires applicants to submit a formal petition through an online request system.
Once an initial request is submitted, District staff are tasked with creating a replacement water petition and delivering it to the applicant via email. The District advises applicants to allow five to 10 business days for staff to respond after the form is completed and any necessary additional information has been returned to the District office.
Requirements for Water Petition Approval
The replacement water acquisition process involves several mandatory legal and administrative steps. After receiving the email petition, applicants must return an original signed and notarized version of the document to the District office, along with all associated fees.
The District provides notary services at its office for those who require them during this stage of the application. Following the submission of the notarized petition and fees, the request is sent to the District Board for formal consideration and approval or denial.
Final Regulatory Compliance
Finalizing a replacement water agreement requires compliance with state-level water rights regulations. Even after receiving approval from the Weber Basin Board, applicants are not permitted to use or put water to use until they have successfully obtained an exchange, also known as a diversion permit, from the Division of Water Rights.
