Attorney
Smith Hartvigsen
Bio:
Nathan is a partner at Smith Hartvigsen, PLLC, where he represents cities, special districts, irrigation companies, and non-governmental organizations on water, land use, and policy issues. Among other things, he serves as general counsel for the Upper Colorado River Commission and as the legal counsel for the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, which the National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy operate to preserve and enhance flows to Great Salt Lake and its wetlands.
Nathan works frequently on water and land use legislation and helped develop Utah’s Water Banking Act and other legislation involving instream flows, split season leasing, fixed time change applications, and other matters. He also helped prepare the “HCR-10 Report,” which the Utah Divisions of Water Resources and Water Quality released in 2020 on ways to ensure adequate water flows for Great Salt Lake and its wetlands.
In addition to serving on the Board of Advisors for Dividing the Waters Program, Nathan serves as an advisor to the Utah Association of Special Districts, as the past president of the Utah Chapter of the American Water Resources Association, and on the Utah Land Use and Eminent Domain Advisory Board. U.S. News and World Report has recognized Nathan as a “Best Lawyer” for Water Law and Utah Business Magazine has recognized Nathan as a “Legal Elite” for Energy and Natural Resources. In 2020, The Nature Conservancy awarded Nathan its Utah Conservation Partner Award.
Title: Agriculture, Conservation & Water for Great Salt Lake
Abstract: As the legal counsel for the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, Nathan works frequently with agricultural producers to negotiate and develop water transactions to support Great Salt Lake, including a recent lease involving conserved agricultural water from the Huntsville Abbey Farm. In addition to his work for the Trust, Nathan also represents farmers and irrigation companies across Utah and is familiar with the needs and concerns of agricultural producers. His remarks will focus on where the interests of Great Salt Lake and agriculture align and where they differ. He will also discuss how efforts to sustain Great Salt Lake can preserve agriculture and why preserving agriculture is essential for the Lake’s future.
