State lawmaker wants to look at canal safety

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lawmakers are looking at ways to regulate canal safety less than two weeks after a mother and her two children were killed in a Logan mudslide. Rep. Fred Hunsaker, R-Logan, says he has heard from several colleagues who want to draft bills on canal safety. Three people were killed on July 11 after a mudslide destroyed their home. Logan officials say they are unsure exactly what caused the slide. A breach in the Logan Northern Canal above their home is among the possible factors. There is currently no state law on the building and maintaining of canals. Absent state regulation, the canals are overseen by the irrigation companies that own them. Hunsaker says the state should play a role when canals are above homes and a canal failure could impact people’s lives.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!