Blanding begins early information gathering into collaborative water line to White Mesa at request of Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Blanding City Council began early conversations about a water line to White Mesa, approved a contract for a veterans memorial and announced the Independence Day themes at their latest meeting.
Blanding City Council members gave advice and consent for city staff to further explore an agreement to provide water to the Ute Mountain Ute tribe at White Mesa at their April 8 meeting.
Members of the Blanding City Council held their first discussion about the potential long-term project.
City Manager Trent Herring received a letter from Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart inquiring about the city’s interest in allowing residents at White Mesa to tie in to the Blanding culinary water system.
In his letter to city administration; Heart notes that while the people at White Mesa are currently served by deep water wells the tribe would like to be connected to Blanding culinary water, and have those wells serve as a backup source.
“The Tribe is concerned about the potential for future contamination of wells from the uranium mill and providing clean and safe water to the community.”
While the White Mesa mill is subject to federal regulations including regular testing of the aquifer underneath the ground; tribal members have expressed concerns about the safety of those systems.
The letter also states that if the city were amenable to the idea the tribe would be “responsible for the planning, design, alternatives, and construction of the potential water transmission line. The Tribe will also ensure an open line of communication with the City and other stakeholders throughout the process.”
City staff and council are familiar with tribal connections to the water system with the Westwater water connection project being celebrated later this month.
In any case connecting to the Blanding city water system would require adequate water rights, improvements to the water system and accompanying infrastructure to make the connection possible.
While the letter mentions culinary water, Herring noted that in preliminary conversations the idea of running sewer lines into the city sewer ponds was also discussed. Herring shared in preliminary conversations a rough estimated usage was put at 100 acre feet per year.
With the idea in early stages Herring shared the advice and consent would be for additional investigation into the project. Noting that the advice and consent for additional information doesn’t mean the city is going to do the project, adding that a project of that size would take years to complete if the city did choose to approve it.
Council members gave advice and consent to further explore the issue noting that if the project could be completed benefit all parties it ought to be explored.
Mayor Trevor Olsen concluded the conversation stating the importance of water in the area.
“It is valuable to everybody. Everybody in this area across the mesa. It's life for everybody. With that, we're okay with giving consent to move ahead on discussions. Obviously that's all it is; is information. Fact finding. What does that actually look like and starting the process to maybe brainstorm what potential resources they could bring to help us and us help them.”
Blanding city council members also approved a yellow-tier water rate for the year. Despite recent rain and snow events, city reservoirs are not expected to fill. The yellow tier will be a slight price increase for those with higher water usage. Council approved the tier with an additional request to send letters to residents encouraging water conservation.
Members of the council also approved a contract for the Veterans Memorial project.
Herring shared that the sole bid for the project was through Tri-Hurst Construction, with a $171,247 price tag. The project is being funded by Blanding resident Tony Wojcik and the American Legion Poster number 97. The expected start date on the project is late summer of 2025.
Members of the Blanding City Council also held a public hearing for the Leonard Howe Annexation and Disconnect. City staff explained the project has been in the works since 2021 and is focused on squaring out a property on 300 west south of town near the detention center. The disconnection will square away a former annexation boundary line that ran through the middle of the property. Members of the council approved the request later in the meeting. At the same meeting council also tabled a request for Chad and Tiawna Moses to rezone property from R1 to R2.
During public comment one resident asked the council about the grid access fees particularly for homes that are unconnected from services.
Blanding City Community Development Director Ben Muhlestein provided a report on economic activities including sharing the the theme for the 2025 Blanding Independence Day Celebration had been selected to be “Let Freedom Ring”. Also sharing that there would be prizes as part of a contest for the parade this year. Applications are also now open for vendor booths. Muhlestein also shared that the fall festival is tentatively scheduled for September 13.
Muhlestein also shared that a joint service project is scheduled at Recapture Reservoir on Friday April 18. The City along with the Bureau of Land Management and YouServe Utah will be cleaning up both north and south boat ramps as well as installing picnic tables on Friday afternoon.
Muhlestein also shared that the Downtown Development plan being conducted through Bike Utah will be looking for public input on the plan with surveys and meeting scheduled in May.
Members of the council also gave advice and consent to approve the purchase of Easter eggs for the annual San Juan High National Honor Society (NHS) Easter egg hunt. The council agreed to expend $900 to purchase 4,000 pre-filled eggs, an increase of 1,000 eggs due to anticipated increase in participation with Easter later in the season. Members of the council expressed their support for the event.
Members of the council also gave consent for the city to move forward with offering a voucher for community cleanup day. Rather than having one day for the cleanup the city will purchase vouchers for city residents to have one free trip to the county dump as part of cleanup for city residents.
Members of the council also approved a local product sale agreement. The agreement will allow local vendors to showcase and sell some of their products at the Blanding City Visitor Center. The idea was originally brought to the city by Bears Ears Farms who also sell CBD products, city staff shared that any products that require a bond would be covered completely by those vendors.
City staff agrees that while it won’t necessarily be a large money maker for local vendors or the visitor center it should bring exposure for local vendors.
During the meeting Herring also provided some informational items. Noting that the filing periods for municipal elections will be June 2nd to June 6th. With the Mayor’s seat and two city council seats up for election.
Members of the council also gave support for a potential project that would allow businesses in Blanding City to purchase one business license through an interlocal agreement with the county. Rather than having to purchase separate licenses through the city and the county. Council expressed support for the concept with staff agreeing to further investigate.