Spring 2012 Kolob Reservoir

Water for Today and Tomorrow • Conservation Every Day™ Manager’s Message — Drought conditions extremely likely this summer

Where are the The National Oceanic and 673-3617 or go to the District’s website value of approximately $101 million. Facts? Atmospheric Association has issued a for conservation tips. (wcwcd.org/ The QCP was a $30 million project. statement that La Niña is still with us conservation) About 30% of the county’s taxable value Check out our new and may even strengthen. This particular All of us saving several gallons was bonded so this project could be webpage at wcwcd.org weather pattern usually means that of water will, in the long run, save built. Washington County residents went southern Utah will experience drought thousands of gallons of water. The Water to the polls and over 90% voted in favor conditions. Local reservoirs will do their District’s maxim says it this way: “Water of the QCP bond. See our blog for job to make sure we have the water we for Today and Tomorrow – Conservation Today, close to 150,000 people reside information about water need, but water levels will drop. Every Day.” in Washington County and the county’s projects and water issues Even though we had a record wet year taxable property value is approximately wcwcd.org/blog in 2011, that does not mean we can be Yesterday’s canals are $10 billion. We are able to borrow wasteful. It takes years to recover from today’s pipelines money for the important projects that we the impacts of even a short-term drought. The history of Washington County need to build to continue with efficient Follow us at twitter at Knowing how climate will change is filled with accounts of ditches being management of our water resources, WATERDIST from one year to the next helps us in dug, wells being drilled, springs being such as the Ash Creek and Warner managing our water supply. I would developed and surface water being Valley projects. If the Lake Powell ask you to help us manage the water we diverted. Pipeline Project were being built today, have by being water-wise this summer. The years of human toil required and our portion would cost about 10% of Become familiar with the minimum the meager finances available for water Washington County’s current taxable amount of water your landscape needs projects such as the La Verkin and property value which is 20% less than in Water delivered by to survive and do not use any more than Hurricane canals were often sources of 1982. District in 2011 that. Be sure to fix any leaks you may discouragement to the early pioneers. In 1982, the county needed water find in your home or in your outdoor But the need for water overshadowed all storage. In the 21st century, the county irrigation system. If you need to replace other needs if they were to have a life needs to continue to diversify its water Culinary plants, do so with a drought-resistant in the southwest. With recent estimates portfolio. The District is pursuing many water variety. Conserving our water means showing growth in Washington County diversified approaches to maintain a 6.4 billion you at 2.6% per year, the need for a reliable balanced water resource supply, such gallons • use car washes to clean your car (they water supply is still strong. as reservoirs, wells, ground water recycle their water) Twenty years after the Water District recharge, storage facilities, enhanced • use a broom rather than a hose to was created (November 28, 1962), the use of untreated water for irrigation and, Secondary water clean off your patio, and first major water storage facility was always, conservation to stretch those 26 billion gallons • water within the time-of-day watering built - the Quail Creek Project (QCP). supplies as far as they can go. With ordinances and then only when the When the QCP was in the planning growth on the rebound, there is no doubt wind is not blowing. process in the early 1980s, only 30,000 that all of these efforts will be necessary If you have questions, call people resided in Washington County to meet our reasonably anticipated our conservation coordinator at and the county had a taxable property demands for the foreseeable future. Without the means to adequately fund water development, projects like Quail Creek Reservoir would never have been built.

Photo: Doug Wilson What would happen if property taxes were denied to water districts? By Ron Thompson, General Manager tax revenues. The rating could drop be placed on the current user. With citizens across the board – no one The Utah Legislature adopted the several points as low as BBB without property taxes, present and future would be exempt from feeling the Water Conservancy Act in 1941. This property tax revenues, thereby property owners all share in the pinch. Impacts include, but would not Act created water conservancy districts increasing interest costs on projects benefits of the project without being be limited to: for the purpose of developing water – costs which must be passed on to overwhelmed by the cost. Since • schools, churches and municipalities resources in their service area. consumers. these benefits will apply to property could be hit with a 147% increase in In order to fund water development, • Public safety – without property tax that will be developed in the future, their water bills the districts were authorized to levy income, the cost of water used to it is fair that one component of the • water rates may increase by 147% property taxes, with limitations set by fight fires, for instance, would have District’s portfolio comes from for the average citizen, and the legislature as to tax rates. Today, to be paid by the affected home/ property taxes. • owners of undeveloped land would property taxes, water rates and impact business/land owner. Property taxes Water is a public good and a resource pay nothing, even though their fees provide revenue sources assisting ensure that money is reserved in a we cannot live without. Funds need to property would benefit from the each district with a portfolio of funds special fund to address emergencies be available so that Washington County resources paid for through user fees. necessary to keep up with water and ensure that water is available for residents will always have access to The following chart summarizes the demand. public safety. quality water. If property taxes were estimated cost increases to individuals, During the 2012 legislative session, • Reasonable costs - if a $10 million not forthcoming, funding would have institutions and businesses if the Senate Bill 78 was introduced that dollar project is built to provide water to come from exorbitantly high water District was no longer able to collect could have effectively disallowed the for 2,000 people and the annual cost rates, user fees and impact fees. property tax revenues to pay for its collection of property taxes by the to operate the project is $100,000, The effects of higher fees and rates current actions to provide and protect Washington County Water Conservancy the entire cost of the project cannot would impact Washington County water resources. District and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. If a bill like this Property Tax Water Rates Total Cost Before $50 $344 $394 Property assessed at is enacted, it would essentially eradicate 2 Person Residency $91,300. Actual 2011 usage a stable source of funding and diminish (Primary Home) After $0 $927 $927 the ability of water districts to provide: charges. Before $91 $344 $435 Using data from above • a reliable water supply 2 Person Residency without primary residency tax • water conservation education (Second Home) After $0 $927 $927 • watershed protection break. • water to fight fires and provide for Before $0 $3,455 $3,455 Using 2011 usage charges of School public safety and After $0 $9,311 $9,311 an actual school. • endangered protection. Before $0 $8,686 $8,686 Using 2011 usage charges of Church It would also affect: After $0 $23,406 $23,406 an actual church. • Bond ratings – the District’s current Before $1,334 $9,969 $11,304 Using 2011 usage charges bond rating is AA+, based in part on Restaurant and property value of an the stability provided by property After $0 $26,865 $26,865 actual restaurant. District has long history of protecting native fish species

By Barbara Hjelle, that collaboration with wildlife agencies survival of these species. woundfin reproduction. Woundfin Associate General Manager would be the only way to produce Due to the wide variation in water population was 400% greater than One of the biggest challenges in meaningful results. Consequently, available from year to year and many it was in 2007. water management is making sure that the District began other variables of a The District and the Virgin River all competing demands for water are working with state Woundfin survival desert ecosystem, in Program continue their cooperative met. Since the District was established and federal wildlife depends upon any given year there efforts to fifty years ago, it has worked to agencies to develop have been successes • eradicate invasive non-native ensure that water is available for a viable program. In sufficient flow and failures in the quest species from our rivers and streams domestic, industrial, agricultural and 2001, after many within the river, to improve habitat for • enhance fish habitat recreational use while at the same time years of negotiations, especially during all native fishes and to • ensure that our river system ensuring there is enough water for the the Virgin River hot summer save the endangered remains healthy, and environment and local wildlife. Resource Recovery and months. woundfin: • safeguard water use for human In the early 1980s, the District began Management Program • 2007 – summer floods needs. working with the community and (Virgin River Program) resulted in a massive government agencies to look at making was created. fish kill with woundfin numbers a much broader effort to enhance This multi-agency program was dropping to zero. recovery of threatened established to coordinate • 2007 – the exceptionally cold and , The woundfin is and manage competing winter resulted in the Virgin River Native fish in the Virgin River between Pah Tempe and conservation of native shark-like in both land and water resource freezing over in spots killing species, river corridor uses. In addition, it was older fish. The young woundfin Washington Fields Diversion protection, recreation appearance and to recover, conserve, that did survive were too small to October 17-24, 2011 and flood control, action as it feeds enhance and protect contribute to reproduction the next while allowing for use on small in native species and their spring. Woundfin 3,705 of established water shallow areas habitat as well as balance • 2008 – in May, the Virgin River rights for human needs and accommodate and its tributaries were declared along the river. Virgin River Chub 28,900 as well. At the time, to recreational and free of . comply with the 1973 consumptive water • 2009 – the District constructed a Virgin Spinedace 80 Endangered Species Act, the District needs required for the ever-increasing facility to pump water through funded extensive fish sampling which human population across the basin. the Quail Creek pipeline Speckled Dace 12,050 confirmed the presence of red shiner, The Virgin River Program was to to be released up-river to a direct competitor to the endangered implement a recovery plan and supplement low flows and Desert Sucker 6,000 woundfin . Efforts were set in be proactive in reducing lower water temperatures motion to try to eradicate red shiner from conflicts and enhancing during the hottest months the Virgin River in order to protect the habitat to improve of the year. Flannelmouth Sucker 2,850 woundfin population. • 2011 – a It became evident great year for By Julie Breckenridge, Water Conservation Coordinator Calling all fourth graders to the Water Fair Let’s celebrate together the “Wonders of Water Used Wisely!” As you join in the 17th annual Washington County Water Fair, you will learn about the importance of water for us and for everything around us including our pets, farm , fish and all the vegetation we see Water Line™ growing on our hillsides. You will also Spring 2012 learn what you can do to help protect this precious natural resource. Editor: Ann Jensen Thirty-three presenters from Washington County and from around Contributors: Ron Thompson, the state of Utah will be talking about The Water Jeopardy Game is always This year’s fair will be held on General Manager such topics as “History of the Virgin fun. It allows classes to compete May 9th and May 10th at Dixie State River”, “Water Rights in Utah”, “Water against each other utilizing their College. More information will be Barabara Hjelle World” and “Every Drop Counts”. knowledge of water facts. available through your school. Associate General Manager WATER WORDS Julie Breckenridge, Free landscaping Water Word Search Puzzle Water Conservation Coordinator Front Page Photo: “water-wise” Ann Jensen G S C Y R H B T K W K P O K G Conserve workshops scheduled Layout: Drink D H R E V I R N L A K E A B H Tamara Kleiner & Ann Jensen May June Fish Printing/Circulation: Mon. 7 (4-7p) Sat. 9 (10-11a) C O D Y G X I E W X B R M B K The Spectrum Garden Fair and Cactus and Lake Water Walk Succulents M W N P Y R U M K E W U U A L Pipes The Water Line is published by the Washington County Water Sat. 19 (10-11a) July A E D Y D W K T L B L Y R S K Rain Conservancy District All about Herbs Sat. 14 (10-11a) 533 East Waterworks Drive River It’s all in the Y R A U S R L A B N O L E W Y St. George, UT 84770 container Shower 435-673-3617 E Q D Q A L C E Y V S V T I E This publication may be Spring All workshops are held at Tonaquint accessed on the District’s Nature Center • 1851 Dixie Drive. T H I R S T Y R S P R F A M M Stream website at: wcwcd.org Space is limited so please call Swim 673-3617 to reserve your spot. S H L P W P M T R E I T W V P Board of Trustees Edward L. Bowler, Chair Thirsty D T C V M C W I S S P E Y M M Dennis H. Iverson, Vice Chair Treatment Howard L. Bracken F K R M N A N N H J W I W Y F James A. Lemmon Water Daniel D. McArthur James N. Ence W T U E A G O I S C A E P C L Well Thomas B. Hirschi N I A R A C S Y H M X T B U J Board Meeting - 6:00 pm Tuesday, May 15 K C D I T M T D P L J U P Q G Tuesday, June 19 Tuesday, July 17 T C J P J N S D I H Q D L R Q

CONSERVE DRINK FISH LAKE PIPES RAIN RIVER SHOWER SPRING STREAM SWIM THIRSTY TREATMENT WATER WELL