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Santa Clara Watershed (Sponsor = Washington County, Utah)

The project is funded through authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.

Project Description

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), with assistance of Washington County, Utah, as the project sponsor, is considering proposed improvements within the Santa Clara Watershed. The proposed improvements include the construction of stream diversions and detention basins within the Dammeron and Diamond valleys as well as other improvements within the Shivwits Band of Paiutes lands, including stream restoration, irrigation supply, and flood protection. Improvements under consideration will address flood control and protection, agricultural demands, and public safety risks, while enhancing species habitat.

NEPA Analysis

NRCS, as the lead federal agency, is initiating National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis in the form of a new Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) to analyze impacts to the natural and human environment from this project. The Plan-EA will comply with the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations at 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 which require an evaluation of potential environmental impacts associated with federal projects and actions.

Current Status

Project Documents

Public commenting period is June 1 – July 13, 2025.

Washington County and USDA-NRCS are requesting comments on the Draft Plan-EA. Mailed comments should be postmarked by Sunday, July 13, 2025. There will be an in-person public meeting Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the Community Room at the Santa Clara Public Library. The address is: 1099 Lava Flow Drive, St. George, Utah 84770.

For those who are unable to attend the meeting and would like to meet with the NRCS and/or Washington County to discuss the project, arrangements may be made upon request.  

Comments may be submitted during the public meeting, or they can be mailed or emailed to:  

Anders Fillerup
NRCS Utah State Office
125 S. State St. Room 6416
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Anders.Fillerup@usda.gov

Comments must be received or postmarked by July 13, 2025.

Contact Information

Brian Parker —Transcon Environmental
1745 South Alma School Road, Suite 220
Phoenix, AZ 85210
480-807-0095
bparker@transcon.com

or

Kyle Wheeler, NRCS, Water Resources Coordinator
Kyle.wheeler@usda.gov 
435-253-2147

Updated: June 2025