A new Utah law that would allow sporting and environmental groups to purchase instream flows from irrigators in order to protect fish habitat has again seen the light of day.  The Instream Flow to Protect Trout Habitat bill passed in the state Senate last year but failed in the House.  New provisions which address concerns about hydropower generation and Endangered Species Act restrictions have garnered more support for the bill, and it’s expected to pass this year.  The bill is modeled after a successful existing program in Montana. 

With the passing of this law, fishing organizations could purchase water rights from irrigators, meaning that water would be left in the stream instead of being used to water crops, providing more and better habitat for trout during critical low-flow periods.  The bill is being praised by a wide audience and has the support of many conservationists, recreationists and farmers. 

Read the Salt Lake Tribune article here