UPDATED
June 18, 2020 – The Utah Division of Water Resources (DWRe) and UTA have terminated their partnership to jointly acquire property in Box Elder County adjacent to Union Pacific’s existing rail corridor. The partnership was established in December 2018 and was initially beneficial because the division lacked property acquisition experience. The partnership eventually became cumbersome and both parties are moving forward independently.

DWRe is currently looking to acquire property from willing sellers to preserve a corridor for future pipeline alignment options. Construction is not anticipated for about 30 years and is subject to an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. 

The Division and UTA will continue to partner on a surveying contract, which is included in the original scope of work. A contracted right-of-way agent is working on behalf of DWRe.

December 4, 2018 – Utah Division of Water Resources (DWRe) and UTA are partnering to jointly acquire property in Box Elder County adjacent to Union Pacific’s existing rail corridor.

DWRe will acquire a 100-foot wide utility corridor between South Willard and Brigham City. While final alignments are far from being determined, and won’t be until a NEPA process takes place, the purchase of this corridor preserves a pipeline alignment option tied to the potential future development of the Bear River. The corridor could additionally be used for several other future utilities.

– UTA will be acquiring a 40-foot wide corridor to preserve options for a future transit line. UTA’s corridor will begin in Weber County and terminate in Brigham City.

– UTA and DWRe would like to acquire property before development occurs. This will help reduce negative impacts to landowners and has a potential cost-savings benefit.

– It is anticipated that the utility right-of-way could be developed into a linear park feature and used as part of development for open space requirements.