Private riparian owners urge clearer Public Waters Access Act records and training

During the public‑comment portion of the Jan. 9 meeting, private landowner Kent Singleton told the council he has spent years trying to understand how Utah’s Public Waters Access Act is applied and said inconsistent training and the lack of a public list of navigable river sections creates confusion and risk.

"The Public Waters Access Act has been law for over a decade, yet its application remains inconsistent across counties and agencies," Singleton told the council, and he urged the advisory body to "prioritize uniform PWAA training, promote access, discipline based on complete records, and reinforce early advisory engagement before local decisions impact access corridors."

David Oman, a boat owner with experience in Washington state, backed Singleton’s call for clearer guidance and better officer training so that property owners and users know how to comply and enforcement is consistent: "We're in the dark. We don't know," he said.

Chair Jeff Salt thanked the speakers and noted the council’s limited role; staff took the comments for the record but the meeting moved on to grant business.