Division of Water Rights publishes proposed determination for Provo Canyon subdivision; officials note 90‑day court objection window

The Utah Division of Water Rights has published and transmitted a proposed determination (PD) for the Provo Canyon Subdivision, part of the Utah Lake–Jordan River general adjudication, office officials told attendees at a recorded public meeting. Assistant State Engineer Chase McDonald said the office submitted the PD to the district court and that people who disagree with the office’s recommendations must file a written objection with the court.

McDonald emphasized the procedural step that most directly affects property owners and water‑right holders: "If anyone is dissatisfied with what we've put in the proposed determination ... you need to file an objection through the district court," he said, and added that the PD’s title page lists the civil case number and the judge assigned to the matter (Judge Scott).

Why it matters: the PD represents the Division’s evaluation of individual water rights in Area 55, Book 9 (Provo Canyon Subdivision) and begins a statutorily defined clock for objections. McDonald said the office mailed notices to water‑right owners listed in its records, registered agents and counsel of record and posted links to the PD and hydrographic survey maps on the Division’s website.

What to do if you disagree: McDonald and staff repeatedly instructed that objections must be filed in the district court and must reference the civil number shown on the PD. He said the 90‑day window for objections begins when a person is served notice of the proposed determination; the PD includes step‑by‑step filing instructions. McDonald also offered staff assistance and contact information for individual follow‑up after the meeting.

What the PD contains: McDonald described that the PD includes a title page and civil case number, a preamble and prior decree summaries (many rights in the subdivision derive from the 1921 Provo River decree), a priority schedule (source, priority date, flow or annual quantity), descriptions of water rights and points of diversion, general comments, indexes, and hydrographic survey maps.

Next steps: After the 90‑day objection period, objections filed to the district court will be litigated or resolved according to court procedure; McDonald encouraged owners with individual title questions to meet with Division staff outside the public session. The Division has posted the PD and supporting materials on its website and said paper copies can be printed for a nominal fee at its office.

Closing note: McDonald and his staff remained after the recorded portion of the meeting to answer individual questions; Levi ended the recording at McDonald’s request.