Priorities Set For Sevier Water Usage Dee C. Hansen, State Engineer, Division of Water Rights, recently held a restoration hearing on May 28, to set priorities for those applications filed for water appropriation on the Sevier River. The river and its tributaries had been withdrawn from appropriation by Governor Herbert B. Maw in 1946, and was recently restored for non-consumptive purposes by Governor Scott Matheson. All but one of the applications were for hydroelectric power generation; the other was a proposed fish culture. Nearly twenty individuals, representing twenty-four separate projects, atended the meeting. Discussion was held to determine how priorities should be set in cases of conflicting applications. Points considered included resource ownership, the greatest public good, and the rights of municipalities over the rights of individuals. Since most of the applicants proposed to generate electricity, it was suggested that in case of conflict that the project which could produce the highest quantity of energy should have priority over one which proposed a lesser amount. After listening to discussion from all interested parties, Hansen ruled that the filings would be prioritized according to dates and times received. The only exception was the City of Fairview and the Sanpete Water Conservancy District which filed applications at different times for what may lcome a joint project. They were given equal priority. The applications will now be advertised and will be subject to protest, and than a final determination will be made. Copies of the list of applicants may be obtained from the Division of Water Rights. The Utah State Division of Wildlife Resource wants seven cubic feet per second of water (cfs) diverted from several unnamed springs for fish cultures. The following groups want to divert water from various sources for hydroelectric use: Robert J. and Geralee S. Murdoch have requested 2,400 cfs from the Sevier River at four different points. Officials at the state division of water rights say this is the biggest request they have received. DMAD Companies and Rocky Ford Trust have requested 550 cfs from the Sevier Bridge Resevoir and Sevier River downstream, and 800 cfs from the reservoir alone. Ephraim City wants 60 cfs diverted from Cottonwood and New Canyon Creeks. Piute Reservoir & Irrigation Co. wants 300 cfs of the Piute Reservoir. The City of Fairview would like 13 cfs and 2,600 acre feet of water from Birch Creek.The city also wants 20 cfs from Cottonwood Creek. The Gunnison Irrigation Co. has requested 25 cfs from Twelve Mile Creek, 105 cfs from Six Mile Creek, 50 cfs from Nine Mile Creek and 100 cfs from San Pitch River. Sanpete Water Conservancy District has applied for 75 cfs from Gooseberry and Cotton Wood Creeks. Glenwood Irrigation Co. wants 8 cfs from Glenwood Spring. Piute Reservoir & Irr. Co. and Richfield Irr. Canal Co. want 20 cfs diverted from Mammoth Creek & Springs, 600 cfs from Sevier River and 260 cfs from the east fork of Sevier River. Richfield Irrigation put in an individual request for 260 cfs of the east fork. Western Hydro Electric, Inc. has applied for 500 cfs from Sevier River Bridge Reservoir, 500 from Piute reservoir-Sevier River, and 300 cfs from Otter Creek Reservoir and the east fork of Sevier River.