LOGAN (June 15, 2023) – The Division of Water Resources was delighted to participate in the second Utah Growing Water Smart workshop on June 6, 7 and 8. These workshops bring key community staff and decision-makers on water and land use planning together to collaborate to build a more resilient and sustainable water future.
Seven teams participated in the three-day workshop. Team members represented 19 communities from urban areas (including Salt Lake City, North Salt Lake and Cottonwood Heights) and rural areas (including West Corinne, Providence, North Logan and Box Elder and Cache counties). Salt Lake City Public Utilities, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and Bear River Water Conservancy District also participated.
Joanna Endter-Wada of Utah State University (USU) organized the workshop and served as the master facilitator. Seven additional trained facilitators from USU, Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Western Resource Advocates, WaterNow Alliance and NOAA-NIDIS guided team discussions and planning sessions.
Division staff assisted teams as co-facilitators, observers and subject matter specialists to support teams as they created plans and provided perspectives. Laura Vernon — the division’s Great Salt Lake Basin Planner — gave a presentation about ongoing programs that benefit Great Salt Lake.
Division Director Candice Hasenyager thanked participating team members, presenters and workshop staff for dedicating their time and committing to integrate water considerations into their planning efforts. She applauded their willingness to change the planning paradigm within their agencies.
The northern Utah Growing Water Smart workshop successfully enabled the seven teams and associated communities to develop a plan outline with quarterly goals to integrate water considerations into land-planning efforts as they grow and redevelop property.
Those interested in learning more about these workshops can visit the Utah Division of Water Resources website or send an email to waterandland@utah.gov.
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The Utah Division of Water Resources is one of eight divisions and two offices housed within the Department of Natural Resources. Tasked with planning, conserving, developing and protecting Utah’s water resources, the division serves as Utah’s water steward.
