Weber County staff outline $6.2 million Utah Dam upgrade; county share just under $2 million

Weber County staff on Monday briefed commissioners on a draft watershed agreement for upgrades to the Utah Dam retarding structure, saying the total project cost is $6.2 million and the county’s portion would be "just under two million." Ashley Tolman, who presented the agreement, said the county must secure property rights — likely perpetual easements — before construction funds are released and that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has signaled strong support and will fund final design work.

Tolman told the commission that the draft agreement lays out a cost-share and that "part of the 2 million... in this was 150,000 for the land acquisition and permits," meaning easement costs and permitting are included in the county estimate. She said, based on conversations with consultants and NRCS reviewers, the project could be a year or two from construction once agreements are in place.

Commissioner Harvey pressed staff to protect North Fork Park and to secure a perpetual easement rather than a time-limited right, saying he was "not interested in any easement that has a cap on it of like 5 years or 10 years" and suggesting the commission seek an easement of long duration. County legal staff, Courtland Ericson of the attorney's office, was asked to ensure any easement language prevents other parties from withdrawing rights after receiving funds.

Tolman said local stakeholders — including the camp and the Dery Creek Homeowners Association, whose property the dam overlaps — have participated in the process and so far have preferred to retain ownership and grant an easement rather than sell the land. She added NRCS has been "very excited about this project" and has provided timely reviews during the watershed planning process.

Commissioners discussed funding options, including applying for state or federal grants and possible flood-control funding to cover the county’s share. Tolman said NRCS typically funds final design fully but that construction would be a cost-sharing phase for partners.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the agreement at the work session; staff said the agreement will be loaded into the portal for the commission’s formal approval at the next meeting, and that staff will follow up on language ensuring perpetual easements and confirm that nothing in the agreement would constrain future park plans.

The county’s presentation identified the key near-term steps as securing perpetual rights (easements), confirming funding sources for the county share and coordinating final design funding with NRCS.

What happens next: staff will return a final draft and proposed resolution for formal consideration at an upcoming commission meeting; construction funding and an exact project schedule remain contingent on easement acquisition and grant decisions.