Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

HB 489, the Water Infrastructure Amendments, requires local governments in the Great Salt Lake basin to prioritize low impact development (like permeable surfaces and rain gardens) over retention basins for storm water management, unless no feasible alternative exists. It mandates that detention basins in the basin be designed to release water as quickly as possible without compromising flood control or drainage capacity. The bill also establishes a process for independent review of storm water design disputes, with costs shared equally between applicants and local governments. These changes directly affect municipalities, counties, and developers operating within the Great Salt Lake basin under Utah’s storm water permitting system.

HB 533 requires land use authorities (like counties or municipalities) to consider groundwater preservation when reviewing development projects on agricultural land that would change its use. It mandates that authorities factor in methods to maintain historical groundwater levels, such as irrigation, flood basins, or injection wells, before approving permits. The bill also requires the Utah Geological Survey or local irrigation companies to provide groundwater data to authorities upon request. This law directly affects agricultural landowners, developers, and local governments managing land use decisions, while explicitly stating it does not override existing water rights or the state engineer’s authority.