Utah’s Water and Land Laws Shake Up in 2026

Utah lawmakers are busy reshaping how the state handles water, land and mining. While the Great Salt Lake gets most headlines, several new bills aim to protect farmers, miners and public lands. One proposal lets the state’s natural resources department pay for legal fights over Colorado River water. The current agreement ends in 2026, and the state may need to sue or negotiate with other basin states. If Utah’s water rights are challenged, the department could cover the costs. Another bill tackles ownership of federal land in Utah. The state owns about 35 million acres, and the measure clarifies that most of it is under “proprietorial interest only. ” This means Utah can regulate the land without changing federal ownership. The law will map and monitor land use to keep it healthy.Water rights are also getting protection. In Utah, unused water can be lost after seven years. A new bill lets residents keep their rights even if they don’t use them for a long time, helping people in growing areas plan better. The measure was signed by the governor last week. Farmers will have a new way to lease water. Two bills create a legal framework for farmers to sell or lease their water to the Colorado River system and the Great Salt Lake. The state will pay farmers about $300 per acre, then use that water for reservoirs or lake replenishment. The bills encourage voluntary participation so farmers can choose how much to irrigate. Finally, a law returning Utah to a 2014 rule protects coal mines from environmental lawsuits. The change means miners no longer need to post a bond when permits are challenged, restoring the older approach. The bill was signed by the governor after a brief period of reversal. These measures show Utah is looking beyond headline issues to address water use, land control and mining rights in a changing climate.