Central Advisory Council Meeting Agenda
November 20, 2025
12:00- 1:30 PM
Utah Division of Water Rights
319 N Carbonville Rd, Price, UT 84501
(Lunch will be provided)
Zoom Link
https://utah-gov.zoom.us/j/9598070519?omn=88413985725
1. Welcome (William Merkley)
a. Approval of June 19, 2025 meeting minutes
b. Introduce Emma Epperson
2. Member Roundtable/Feedback (All)
a. Two-minute round-robin of individual council member updates
3. Update on Colorado River Negotiations
4. Cody Stewart - Curtailment Threats Discussion
5. Housekeeping and Administrative Items (Cody and Emma)
a. 2026 Recommendations
b. Next meeting date
6. Wrap-Up and Meeting Conclusion (William Merkley)
2025 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD
Water transfers between basins create understandable anxiety. Fear of 'buy and
dry' transfers of irrigation water to municipal and industrial uses in other regions
is a common concern in our mostly rural communities. We believe water, under
nearly all circumstances, should be kept and used within its original water basin.
River management that utilizes rapid reservoir release changes of
sediment-starved waters is seriously impacting private property owners.
Streambank protections need to be considered and prioritized.
Consider and promote additional storage options to mitigate the effects of
hydrologic boom and bust cycles
Consider wildlife/habitat and overall watershed health when crafting policy and
solutions including T&E species, natural resources, and ecosystem functionality
to help fortify the long-term resiliency of the system.
Prepare and plan for the loss of federal and state funding
Recreation economies in the Upper Basin should be recognized and protected.
Continue to advance a clear vision for Utah's future on the river, confronting
challenges with bold and innovative solutions - 'Defending Every Drop' while
allowing space for reasonable, fair, and necessary compromises
Promote a provisional accounting program (aka crediting) and/or a demand
management program, while also exploring other tools that allow the states to
receive credit for contributing projects in the Upper Basin with appropriate
verification and accounting.
Advance long-term thinking by proactively supporting and incentivizing actions
that promote adaptation and build long-term resilience.
Local water supplies are best managed locally. Even though we must be seen
doing our part, there is a sense of futility in gathering up or unduly restricting
local water supplies to support Lake Powell elevations. As we've seen in the
past, individual communities are somewhat inconsequential to the awesome
power of nature to change the entire course of Colorado River discussions.
The CAC urges the Board to continue to affirm that no mandatory reductions in
Upper Basin consumptive uses should be considered until the Lower Basin's
system imbalance is corrected.
All policy decisions need to be grounded on the best available science and be
contingent upon hydrologic conditions.
The CAC firmly opposes the use of Upper Basin reservoirs in a system-wide
river management scheme that serves to more fully secure harmful Lower Basin
guarantees at the expense of an already fragile Upper Basin water supply.
The CAC is encouraged by the adoption of conservation efforts such as the
System Conservation Pilot Program and the Agricultural Water Optimization
Program. We support continued efforts to establish a more durable demand
management system whereby the State of Utah can account for, and be given
credit for, voluntary, temporary, compensated, and protected water contributions.
We eagerly await system improvements contemplated in the Metering and Gap
Analysis and the Ag Water Demonstration, Research and Implementation
Program (Ag-DRIP).
Please ensure our sister states understand that losses in hydropower efficiency
in low storage level reservoirs has a real and immediate impact on returns to the
Basin Fund and WAPA power rates.
ADVISORY COUNCIL GOVERNING RULE
On December 2, 2021, the Authority Board adopted the following advisory council
rule to help guide council operations:
ADVISORY COUNCIL GOVERNING RULE
This rule is established under the authority of the Colorado River Authority of Utah
Act, Section 63M-14-209, to provide the general standards and procedures for the
operation of the Colorado River Authority of Utah ('Authority') Advisory Councils.
Advisory Council Membership
1. There is created one or more Advisory Councils that shall consist of members
representing a variety of Colorado River interests in the state of Utah.
2. Advisory Councils will serve as a forum for civic engagement on the use, development,
conservation, and protection of Utah's Colorado River entitlement.
3. Advisory Council Members may serve by appointment or by application. a. Each
Advisory Council shall be governed by co-chairs, one selected by its membership
and one selected by the Authority Board. The co-chairs will conduct meetings and
present council recommendations to the Authority Board. (b) Authority staff shall
provide administrative support to all Advisory Councils.
Advisory Council Meetings
1. Advisory Councils shall meet on dates and times as jointly determined by the
co-chairs. 2. Each Advisory Council shall:
a. hear broad input, including recommendations, data and
information regarding all matters affecting Utah's Colorado
River system water; and
a. make recommendations to the Authority Board in an advisory
capacity
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
Individuals needing special assistance please contact:
Emma Epperson
emmaepperson@utah.gov
801-243-0774
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Remote Link:
Emma Epperson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Central Advisory Council Meeting
Time: Nov 20, 2025 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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