Utah Code 79-2-602. Watershed Restoration Initiative — Creation

79-2-602. Watershed Restoration Initiative — Creation — Objectives.

(1)	There is created within the department the Watershed Restoration Initiative under the general supervision of the executive director.

Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
Department: means the Department of Natural Resources created in Section 79-2-201. See Utah Code 79-1-102
Director: means the director of the initiative who is appointed under Section 79-2-602. See Utah Code 79-2-601
Executive director: means the executive director of the department who is appointed under Section 79-2-202. See Utah Code 79-1-102
Initiative: means the Watershed Restoration Initiative created in Section 79-2-602. See Utah Code 79-2-601
Person: means :Utah Code 68-3-12.5
Process: means a writ or summons issued in the course of a judicial proceeding. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
Restoration: means to assist the recovery of ecosystems and ecosystem services that have been mismanaged, degraded, or destroyed. See Utah Code 79-2-601
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
Watershed: means the geographical surface area that drains water into a stream, river, or other body of water. See Utah Code 79-2-601

(2)

The policies and objectives of the initiative are to manage, restore, and improve watershed ecosystems throughout the state by focusing on improving:

(a)	watershed health and biological diversity;

(b)	water quality and yield; and

(c)	opportunities for sustainable uses of natural resources.

(3)	Consistent with this part, the initiative may integrate, coordinate, or partner with federal, state, local, private, and non-profit plans and programs to further the initiative’s objectives.

(4)

To achieve and implement the policies and objectives under Subsection (2), the initiative shall:

(a)	develop and oversee a watershed restoration project proposal process to develop statewide watershed restoration priorities, including ranking criteria;

(b)

maintain a website that includes:

(i)	an events calendar;

(ii)	tracking of watershed restoration projects;

(iii)

a description of the watershed restoration project proposal process, including applicable ranking criteria; and

(iv)	the name and contact information of each person with decision-making responsibilities related to ranking and selecting watershed restoration project proposals;

(c)	organize and oversee a biennial statewide watershed restoration workshop;

(d)	assign funding to watershed restoration projects, and manage and track project budgets;

(e)	provide initiative partners with contract support, reporting, and tracking assistance regarding incoming and outgoing watershed restoration project funds;

(f)	ensure that watershed restoration projects meet applicable cultural resource requirements;

(g)	upon request and as appropriate, provide performance reporting and initiative information to the media, partners, and the executive and legislative branches of state government;

(h)	prepare and provide training and technical support for watershed restoration project managers; and

(i)	provide the executive director with reports and recommendations regarding the initiative’s performance and funding.

Enacted by Chapter 51, 2022 General Session

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