Update Given for Hanksville Watershed Protection Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Ron Francis,  (801) 524-4557

State and federal officials traveled to Wayne County on Wednesday, April 4, to give an update on Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) plans for the Hanksville area following last fall’s devastating floods along the Fremont River that destroyed the irrigation diversion dam and caused other significant damage. Senator Bob Bennett and Sylvia Gillen, state conservationist for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), met with county and city officials to review plans to rehabilitate the water delivery system with a $5 million EWP grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bennett and Gillen worked together earlier this year to secure this special funding which is set aside to protect life and property from any future flooding event of a similar magnitude.

“I’ve been to New Orleans and Mississippi to see the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, and although the scope may not be as large, the Fremont River flood last fall was equally devastating,” said Sen. Bob Bennett. “The residents of Hanksville understand that because their livelihoods depend on the river. The funding we helped secure for this reconstruction is every bit as important as the funding used to rebuild communities along the Mississippi Delta.”

Gillen noted that “EWP funds are used to solve problems that existed before the disaster and cannot be used to raise the level of protection that existed prior to the emergency. The law requires us to go only to that point,” she emphasized.

An interdisciplinary team of NRCS resource specialists is currently in the process of identifying and evaluating alternatives that would bring the impacted irrigation systems back to a functioning state. In doing so, they are required by federal law to evaluate the possible impacts on natural resources, cultural resources, and the socioeconomic effects associated with the possible alternatives. As planning proceeds, they are also consulting as needed with state and federal agencies in order to make sure all project work will comply with applicable laws and regulations. For example, any endangered species of fish would have to be dealt with properly.

In recent weeks NRCS has conducted a complete damage survey report and has conducted several other evaluations that will serve as a guide as the team now makes a final determination as to which alternatives are preferred. Their recommendation will be based on the degree to which the alternatives address the needs and concerns of local officials and citizens as well as the impacts on the local resource base.

Gillen assured local farmers that they would do all they can to help restore vital irrigation water supplies to the land as soon as possible. “We’re committed to serving the best interests of both the community as well as the nation,” she said.

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