Southeast Advisory Council

 

The Southeast Advisory Council (SE AC) is composed of 9 members representing various perspectives from South East Utah. Members of the SE AC represent diverse backgrounds and viewpoints from the region, including some with a state or local government background. Others represent the energy and agricultural industries. Other members work with water districts, academia, or advocacy organizations. We are grateful for the opportunity to present to the Board a few recommendations that have emerged from our conversations this past year.

Co-Chair: Simone Griffin- Simone was born and raised in San Juan County and is currently a resident of Garfield County. She has been active in public land issues involving ranching, agriculture, and Glen Canyon Dam for as long as she can remember. Simone has served as the Policy Director for the BlueRibbon Coalition since 2019. In this role, Simone is actively involved in water policy across the United States, with a focus on protecting recreation and reservoirs in Utah and throughout the West.

George Matocha - George is the Chairman of the San Juan Water Conservancy in Blanding, Utah. President and owner of Matocha Associates, a planning, architecture, and engineering firm, George has also served two terms on the City of Monticello Planning Commission. George received a BS in Architectural Engineering and an MS in Business Administration. George lives in Monticello.

Stanley Wood - Stanley is a former Wayne County Commissioner where he oversaw the county’s work on water, public lands, and public health. He has served on many boards and committees and brings an agricultural perspective to county government. Stanly is a resident of Lyman.

Kaden Figgins- Kaden is currently serving as the Director of Planning & Economic Development for Garfield County, Utah.  Born and raised in Panguitch, Utah, Kaden has a deep-rooted connection to the community and a genuine passion for its growth and prosperity. He holds a degree in Finance from Dixie State University and a certificate in Economic Development from Utah Valley University. Throughout the last 5 years in his role, Kaden developed a solid foundation in land use planning, zoning regulations, and community development.

Anthony Mancuso- Anthony is the Colorado River & Green River Coordinator for the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands at the Utah Department of Natural Resources. He has served on the planning team and steering committees over the Green and Colorado River Comprehensive Management plans. Anthony previously worked as a whitewater outfitter and raft guide and as a counselor for special needs populations. Anthony received a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Outdoor Recreation Leadership from Mansfield University.

Carl Albrecht- Carl is a member of the Utah House of Representatives, representing Emery, Grand, Sanpete, and Sevier Counties.

Brian Martinez- Brian is a Commissioner for Grand County and the General Manager at NAVTEC Expeditions.  As a resident of Moab for over twenty years, he and his family enjoy mountain biking, dirt biking and being on the river.

Lynn Jackson- Lynn is a lifelong resident of Utah and has lived in Moab for 43 years. Lynn has been a geologist and Manager for 32 years with the Bureau of Land Management in Southeastern Utah, having dealt with all resource issues in the region including the Colorado River and its drainages.  He is a former County Commissioner in Grand County and has spent 15 years as a public lands consultant focused primarily on minerals and mining and other natural resource issues.

 


2026 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD

Southeastern Utah relies on the Colorado River for our economy, our communities, and our future. With limited time to shape the post-2026 framework, we ask the Board and the River Commissioner to negotiate firmly for a fair settlement that protects southeastern Utah, maintains Lake Powell at functional elevations, and meets Utah’s Compact obligations without placing disproportionate burdens on our region. The recommendations below reflect our top priorities.

  1. Defend Utah’s Rights While Meeting Compact Obligations

A negotiated settlement should:

  • Protect Utah’s ability to develop remaining portions of its allocation
  • Avoid placing disproportionate reductions on Utah and the Upper Basin
  • Require binding and enforceable conservation commitments from all states
  • Preserve recreation access and local economic stability in southeastern Utah 
  • Continue to utilize Lake Powell for primary storage of Utah’s allocated water

Balanced outcomes are essential. Utah should not bear additional burdens while Lower Basin states delay needed structural reductions. 

  1. Protect Lake Powell and Local Economies

Lake Powell supports hundreds of millions of dollars in annual tourism spending and thousands of jobs in southeastern Utah. We urge the River Commissioner to advocate for a minimum operational elevation of 3,550 feet in the post-2026 operating plan while still maintaining sufficient recreational flows in the Green, Colorado, and San Juan rivers. Below this level, major marinas and boat ramps become unusable, causing immediate economic harm to gateway communities.

Water releases should be based on actual storage and inflows rather than speculative forecasts. Recreation access, ramp status, marina operations, ecosystem services, and local economic impacts must be incorporated into federal operating criteria along with water and power needs. Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge, and Glen Canyon Dam remain critical tourism, recreation, and energy assets for our region. Mining and other local industries that depend on reliable water supply must also be included in all planning decisions.

  1. Lead on Conservation and Responsible Future Development

Utah should strive to be a conservation leader in the West. Accurate measurement, consistent reporting, and efficient water use across all sectors will strengthen our negotiating position and help sustain both human and natural ecosystems.

The Board should support responsible water development, including improved storage capacity, water reuse, desalinization, and augmentation strategies. Projects that enhance habitat while advancing water reliability deserve strong support. Agricultural optimization, crop switching, and targeted voluntary fallowing should be encouraged where cost-effective and farmer-driven. At the same time, Utah should fight to ensure that it gets full credit for its conservation efforts and contributions. 

As energy systems transition nationwide, the Board should also carefully consider and, where appropriate, champion water-related opportunities to advance clean and reliable power, including small modular nuclear projects, new hydropower and pump-storage facilities, and geothermal development. The approval of new projects should be predicate upon use of best industry standard water efficient use. 

The world is changing rapidly. As Southeastern Utah prepares for the future, we urge the Board to remain open to new technologies and opportunities, whether they be in the municipal, commercial, industrial, or business space, that will help alleviate our collective water challenges.