Proposed Water Bill Could Affect Watershed Protections
Posted by the Ogden Valley Watershed Action Group (OVWAG)
Last updated: January 2026
The Ogden Valley Watershed Action Group (OVWAG) shares educational information on issues that affect watershed health, water quality, and public participation in water management.
A proposed bill in the Utah Legislature — H.B. 60, Water Rights Amendments — would make significant changes to how water-rights applications and changes are reviewed in Utah. Because these changes directly affect watershed protection tools, OVWAG is sharing a brief overview of what the bill proposes and why it matters.
Key Changes Proposed in H.B. 60
If adopted, H.B. 60 would:
Narrow the criteria the State Engineer may use to deny water-rights applications or changes
Remove explicit consideration of impacts to the natural stream environment and public recreation
Eliminate public notice requirements for certain temporary water-rights changes
Limit consideration of public welfare impacts, including restrictions on evaluating downstream or basin-wide effects such as water flowing across sovereign lands
Raise barriers to judicial review by requiring a person to show a specific, individualized injury and by preventing courts from awarding litigation costs, even if a challenge is successful
Why This Matters for Ogden Valley
Ogden Valley’s watershed depends on interconnected groundwater, streams, wetlands, and downstream flows. Historically, public notice, environmental review, and public-interest considerations have played an important role in ensuring water decisions account for long-term watershed health — not just individual or short-term water uses.
The changes proposed in H.B. 60 would reduce the role of those considerations and limit opportunities for public awareness and engagement in water-rights decisions that may affect local and downstream water resources.
OVWAG’s Role
OVWAG does not take positions on legislation. Our role is to help residents understand how proposed policies may affect watershed health and water management so community members can stay informed and engage as they choose.
Review the full bill text:
https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0060.html
If you have questions about how water-rights decisions relate to watershed health in Ogden Valley, OVWAG is always happy to help explain the connections.
Staying Informed & Engaged.
Residents who wish to learn more or share their perspectives may choose to follow this bill as it moves through the Legislature or communicate directly with their elected representatives.
Ogden Valley is represented in the Utah House by Jason Kyle, who can be reached by text at (385) 394-2424.