Utah is now the nation's eighth most urbanized state, with much of the state's population residing along the Wasatch Front. As populations and urban centers continue to expand, natural resources are consumed by towns and cities. This, coupled with increasing costs of living, dual-income households, and busy urban lifestyles, reduces the ability of urban residents to travel to more distant, traditional fisheries. Community fisheries have become one way to provide fishing opportunities to an increasingly urban population and to expose potential anglers to fishing and outdoor activities. These community fisheries, which are ponds located in urban and neighborhood settings, have become an increasingly popular form of recreation for urban residents and, on a per-acre basis, represent some of the state's most heavily used fisheries. An opportunity exists to create a new community fishery in partnership with the city of Farr West during the creation of Smith Family Park, a 32-acre plot of land that will be the site of a new recreational complex. A new community fishery would have direct benefits to anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, the city of Farr West, local businesses, and the Division of Wildlife Resources. With this in mind, it is proposed that the Division of Wildlife Resources partner with Farr West city to fund the development of this community fishery.

Create a premier community fishery at Smith Family Park. This fishery will have an average depth of 7 feet. It was also have a maximum depth of 12 feet, which will cover at least 25% of the bottom surface of the pond. The pond will have open shorelines of gravel and cobble substrate, interrupted by stands of emergent vegetation. Restroom and parking will be available nearby. An access point for DWR hatchery professionals to stock fish will be available nearby for convenient and efficient stocking of fish. A water control structure is also in the plans, allowing city officials to control water flow in and out of the pond. In addition, at least one windmill aerator will be installed in order to improve oxygen diffusion to the pond and maintain good water quality for fish.

Improper pond design and construction of this pond could result in wasted funding and resources, as well as loss of public trust and a deteriorated partnership with Farr West city. To ensure a suitable pond is built, a geotechnical survey and study has already been completed, showing the site is suitable for a pond. In addition, Chris Penne, who will be acting as project manager, has partnered with several cities over the years in the design of successful community fisheries. As project manager, he will work with Farr West to ensure an excellent pond is produced with funds given. There is also a threat of lost opportunity, which could result if this pond is not constructed and is instead lost to development.

Development of this community fishery is directly related to several current goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources, including: increasing and diversifying fishing opportunities to meet public demands; maintaining and/or increasing public support for the management of fish and wildlife; improving broad-based support for DWR programs; and increasing the number of customers participating in fishing, waterfowl hunting, upland game hunting, bear hunting, and wildlife watching by 5%.

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While water in the pond will primarily be flow through, vegetation within the will likely act as a nutrient sink, and result in improved water quality when water exits the pond.

Prior to any construction activities, all necessary permits and authorizations will be obtained.

DWR will: * Provide up to $250,000 for the development of Smith Family Park Pond. These funds will become available in FY17. *Act in an administrative capacity, overseeing progress of the project and consulting where needed. *Manage the completed pond as a community fishery including fish stocking, habitat management, and enforcement of regulations pertaining to harvest. Farr West will: *Act as project manager, overseeing pond excavation and project area construction. *Submit periodic invoices to DWR for approval and reimbursement (monthly). invoices submitted shall be supported by back-up documentation such as receipts, logs, time sheets, or other invoices, etc. *Be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and authorizations. *Assume responsibility for ground maintenance, trash disposal and general facility upkeep in the project area.

Chris Penne will monitor construction/excavation and spending as the project progresses.

Farr West city

This fishery will be managed as a community fishery. As such DWR will manage the fishery through intensive stocking of rainbow trout, channel catfish, and wiper. In addition, a self sustaining population of largemouth bass and bluegill will also be established. DWR will also manage fish habitat within the pond, and enforce harvest regulations with DWR law enforcement officials. Farr west will maintain grounds and facilities.

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02/22/2016

05/30/2016

2016

Farr West City and DWR partnered on the design of this pond. A 20-year cooperative agreement was developed and entered into by the DWR and city of Farr West for cooperative management of the pond as a community fishery. After entering into the agreement, the DWR granted $250,000 to Farr West for the development of Smith Family Park Pond. Development of the pond took place immediately following the grant. Excavation of the pond has been completed; however, there are still some final features to install before the pond is open to the public in calendar year 2017.

Excavation of the pond began in mid February of 2016. Excavation was completed by Randy Marriott Construction. As recommended by DWR biologist, the resulting pond had a max depth of 12 feet, an average depth of 7 feet, and a surface acreage of 5 acres. Water control structures allowing manipulation of the water entering and leaving the pond were completed in late summer. Remaining work to do before the pond is open to the public includes construction of stocking ramp, stocking the pond with fish, installation of a windmill aerator, lining of the shoreline with gravel and cobble, and the planting of desirable shoreline vegetation. This work will be completed in the spring of 2016. Bids have been acquired for the rocks to line the shore and a source for the shoreline plants has been located. Because of the salty soil at the site of the pond, it was decided the pond would be drained once in the fall and refilled in order to minimize salt concentrations along the shoreline that might adversely affect springtime plantings of shoreline vegetation. As a bonus, two retired dock sections from the Bear Lake State Park marina were acquired and those dock sections will be installed in order to improve access to deeper water for the pond's anglers.

A 20-year cooperative agreement has been entered into between the city of Farr West and the Division of Wildlife Resources. This agreement outlines the duties and responsibilities of each party for management of the pond as a public amenity over the 20-year period.