County officials discuss historic road and easement issues near Spanish Fork River

A significant discussion unfolded during the Utah County Commission meeting on November 17, 2021, regarding the historical status of a road and bridge that once crossed the Spanish Fork River. The focus was on 3200 West, where a bridge was removed in the early 1950s, leading to the obliteration of a section of road approximately 300 feet long.

Commissioners revealed that while the bridge's removal remains unclear—whether due to flooding or intentional action—an underlying deed for the road was discovered during property title investigations. This finding is unusual for county roads, as it indicates that the road has not been officially vacated since the 1950s. Currently, the area is part of private fields owned by Mr. Betz and Mr. Roberts, with a ditch running through the center of the deeded right-of-way.

Commissioners assured that the ditch would remain unchanged and would not affect the road on the west side of the river. However, questions arose about the ditch's legal status. While there is no written easement, it was noted that a prescriptive easement could exist due to the ditch's long-standing presence. The commission acknowledged the importance of establishing a written easement to protect the ditch, as prescriptive rights cannot be claimed over government property.

As the meeting progressed, the commissioners discussed the need for further investigation into the easement and the potential for future agenda items to address related deeds. This conversation highlights the ongoing efforts to clarify property rights and ensure proper management of county resources.