DNR News

Collaborative water release from Pineview Reservoir waterline project delivers nearly 10,000 acre-feet to Great Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY – The Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Office, the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust and Great Salt Lake Rising have partnered for a strategic water release from Willard Bay, largely driven by construction on the Pineview Reservoir waterline project. The timely release will deliver nearly 10,000 acre-feet of water directly to Great Salt Lake and its surrounding

Utah secures $60 million for Great Salt Lake through federal land agreement

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 24, 2026) — Utah has secured $60 million for the Great Salt Lake through a settlement agreement with the federal government resolving a decades-old legal dispute over land near the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. The agreement transfers 22,311 surface acres along the Great Salt Lake to the federal government for inclusion in the refuge. In

Gov. Cox appoints Jamie Barnes as commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources

SALT LAKE CITY (July 28, 2026) — Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Jamie Barnes to serveas commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, pending Senate confirmation.Barnes currently serves as Utah state forester and director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fireand State Lands.“Jamie Barnes understands that responsible stewardship requires strong relationships, practicalsolutions and a willingness to work through

Utah State Forester’s Order Enabling Municipalities to Request Expanded Restrictions on Fireworks within Municipal Borders

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, coupled with Governor Cox’s Executive Order 2026-04 declaring a state of emergency in the State of Utah due to the imminent threat of a fire disaster caused by the July fireworks season, and in consultation with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Public Safety, the State Forester has determined additional measures must

Hannah Freeze appointed as Great Salt Lake Commissioner

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Hannah Freeze to serve as Great Salt Lake commissioner beginning July 22. Freeze succeeds Brian Steed and most recently served as Great Salt Lake deputy commissioner. “Hannah understands that protecting the Great Salt Lake requires cooperation from people across the basin,” Gov. Cox said. “She has earned the trust of agricultural producers, water

DWR issues emergency changes to increase daily fishing limits at Pineview Reservoir, 6 other waterbodies due to low water levels

Salt Lake City (July 2, 2026)— Due to current low water levels from construction projects and ongoing drought impacts, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued emergency changes to increase the daily fishing limits at seven waterbodies in Utah, effective immediately. DWR Director Riley Peck issued the emergency changes to the Utah Fishing Guidebook on July 2, allowing for increased

Statewide Fireworks Ban

Utah State Forester’s Order Issuing a Statewide Fireworks Ban Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, coupled with Governor Cox’s Executive Order 2026-04 declaring a state of emergency in the State of Utah due to the imminent threat of a fire disaster caused by the July fireworks season, and in consultation with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Public Safety, the State

DWR acquires Book Cliffs roadless area property as wildlife management area

Salt Lake City (June 18, 2026) — The purchase of a roughly 50,000-acre parcel of land in the roadless area of the Book Cliffs was officially finalized on Thursday and will become part of an existing Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wildlife management area in northeastern Utah. During the 2025 legislative session, the Utah Legislature allocated $50 million to the

State of Utah and BLM sign historic Cooperative Agreement For San Rafael Swell Recreation Area Management

Salt Lake City (June 9, 2026) – On June 8, the State of Utah and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officially finalized a landmark Cooperative Agreement to manage, protect and maintain the 216,995-acre San Rafael Swell Recreation Area in Emery County. This historic agreement marks the culmination of 25 years of intense, dedicated deliberations between the BLM, the Emery

Joel Williams named director of Water Resources

Salt Lake City (Feb. 19, 2026) — The Utah Department of Natural Resources has selected Joel Williams as the new director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. This appointment follows the transition of former director Candice Hasenyager, who now leads the Division of Water Quality at the Department of Environmental Quality. The announcement follows a thorough selection process, which