Utah HB 131: Watershed Restoration Initiative

Bill Text

Enrolled CopyH.B. 131
1WATERSHED RESTORATION INITIATIVE
22022 GENERAL SESSION
3STATE OF UTAH
4Chief Sponsor:  Gay Lynn Bennion
5Senate Sponsor:  Evan J. Vickers
6 
7LONG TITLE
8General Description:
9This bill creates the Watershed Restoration Initiative within the Department of Natural
10Resources.
11Highlighted Provisions:
12This bill:
13<defines terms;
14<creates the Watershed Restoration Initiative within the Department of Natural
15Resources;
16<sets the policies and objectives of the initiative;
17<describes how the initiative will be administered and funded;
18<requires the initiative to submit an annual report to the Natural Resources,
19Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee; and
20<creates the Watershed Restoration Expendable Special Revenue Fund.
21Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22None
23Other Special Clauses:
24None
25Utah Code Sections Affected:
26ENACTS:
2779-2-601, Utah Code Annotated 1953
2879-2-602, Utah Code Annotated 1953
2979-2-603, Utah Code Annotated 1953

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3079-2-604, Utah Code Annotated 1953
3179-2-605, Utah Code Annotated 1953
3279-2-606, Utah Code Annotated 1953
33 
34Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
35Section 1.  Section 79-2-601 is enacted to read:
36Part 6.  WATERSHED RESTORATION INITIATIVE
3779-2-601.  Definitions.
38As used in this part:
39(1)  "Administrative costs" means the costs of administering the initiative, including
40costs for staffing, rent, data processing, legal, finance, accounting, travel, maintenance, and
41office supplies.
42(2)  "Director" means the director of the initiative who is appointed under Section
4379-2-602.
44(3)  "Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources created in Section 23-14-1.
45(4)  "Initiative" means the Watershed Restoration Initiative created in Section 79-2-602.
46(5)  "Restoration" means to assist the recovery of ecosystems and ecosystem services
47that have been mismanaged, degraded, or destroyed.
48(6)  "Watershed" means the geographical surface area that drains water into a stream,
49river, or other body of water.
50Section 2.  Section 79-2-602 is enacted to read:
5179-2-602.  Watershed Restoration Initiative -- Creation -- Objectives.
52(1)  There is created within the department the Watershed Restoration Initiative under
53the general supervision of the executive director.
54(2)  The policies and objectives of the initiative are to manage, restore, and improve
55watershed ecosystems throughout the state by focusing on improving:
56(a)  watershed health and biological diversity;
57(b)  water quality and yield; and

Enrolled CopyH.B. 131
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58(c)  opportunities for sustainable uses of natural resources.
59(3)  Consistent with this part, the initiative may integrate, coordinate, or partner with
60federal, state, local, private, and non-profit plans and programs to further the initiative's
61objectives.
62(4)  To achieve and implement the policies and objectives under Subsection (2), the
63initiative shall:
64(a)  develop and oversee a watershed restoration project proposal process to develop
65statewide watershed restoration priorities, including ranking criteria;
66(b)  maintain a website that includes:
67(i)  an events calendar;
68(ii)  tracking of watershed restoration projects;
69(iii)  a description of the watershed restoration project proposal process, including
70applicable ranking criteria; and
71(iv)  the name and contact information of each person with decision-making
72responsibilities related to ranking and selecting watershed restoration project proposals;
73(c)  organize and oversee a biennial statewide watershed restoration workshop;
74(d)  assign funding to watershed restoration projects, and manage and track project
75budgets;
76(e)  provide initiative partners with contract support, reporting, and tracking assistance
77regarding incoming and outgoing watershed restoration project funds;
78(f)  ensure that watershed restoration projects meet applicable cultural resource
79requirements;
80(g)  upon request and as appropriate, provide performance reporting and initiative
81information to the media, partners, and the executive and legislative branches of state
82government;
83(h)  prepare and provide training and technical support for watershed restoration project
84managers; and
85(i)  provide the executive director with reports and recommendations regarding the

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86initiative's performance and funding.
87Section 3.  Section 79-2-603 is enacted to read:
8879-2-603.  Director -- Appointment -- Qualifications -- Staff.
89(1)  The executive director shall appoint a director to administer the initiative.
90(2)  The director shall:
91(a)  be the executive and administrative head of the initiative; and
92(b)  have demonstrated the necessary administrative and professional ability through
93education and experience to efficiently and effectively manage the initiative's affairs.
94(3)  The director is appointed by the executive dir