Utah has one of the nation's strongest community fisheries program with 61 waters spread throughout the state. This network of waters provides close, convenient and safe spaces for anglers of all abilities to fish and are among the most heavily used waters in the state on a per-acre basis. A recent survey observed that 20% of Utah's 489K licensed anglers used community fisheries (Lillieholm et al. 2017), representing nearly 98K users. They also represent the majority of the fishing areas in Utah that are accessible for those with limited mobility. Fishing docks can be a means to get anglers away from shore and into prime fishing areas where their chances of catching a fish increase. Provide easy access to quality fishing opportunities is consistent with the objectives of the Division of Wildlife and it's municipal partners in the community fishing program and will aid in the recruitment and retainment of new anglers, thereby making a contribution to Utah's continued angling legacy.

The overall goal is to provide a safe and fun place for people of all ages and abilities to go fishing. These docks will expand and maintain access to the center of each pond, which fish can show a preference to during the hottest months of the year. Specifically, we would like to provide one new dock at Steed Pond, which will connect to a path, parking lot and be universally accessible. This will be part of a much larger project by the city that will ultimately include the addition of three new fishing docks, a bridge over the pond, pond aeration, pavilions, a fish cleaning station and walking trails. Most of the project will be paid for by Clearfield City. At Andy Adams Reservoir, will we would like to refurbish two docks that were repurposed in 2016. These docks came used from Jordanelle State Park and were already old at the time of install at Andy Adams. At this time, the dock floats are coming off and absorbing water and need to be replaced. The pile guides that allow the docks to move up and down with water levels need replaced as well. With these two items refurbished, each dock should gain at least another decade of useful life, if not more. At Farr West, project (#6512) came in significantly over budget after a local city contractor was bought by investors and declined to carry out the fabrication and install of the dock at previously estimated price. Farr West has since gotten quotes from numerous other construction and fabrication companies, with the lowest bid coming in roughly $37,000 over water was previously budgeted. The piles for the dock have already been installed, so the goal now is to get this large dock completed to provide improved access to the water at this popular pond.

Steed Pond was chosen as the site of a new dock to coincide with other improvements Clearfield City is doing to the pond and nearby park, which include a boardwalk, pavilions, aerator and more. The specific location of the dock on the west side of the pond was chosen to be close to parking, use patterns by anglers, and will ensure quicker, more convenient universal access for pond users. The docks at Andy Adams were chosen because they are now in need of maintenance this to keep them functioning.

This project is consistent with the Utah Division of Wildlife's Strategic Plan, specifically objectives C1 and C6, which call for increasing hunting and fishing opportunities and participation. In addition, docks are recommended amenities for community fisheries as detailed in the 2022-2027 Community Fishing Waters Strategic Plan (DWR 2022)

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No archaeological clearance is required for previously disturbed ground, such as these ponds. NEPA is not required either. If awarded, project managers will follow all state of Utah purchasing rules and requirements.

If awarded, Clearfield City will be project manager when it comes to soliciting bids and selecting and overseeing a contractor to install the dock. Dock will be stationary (not floating), at least 20 feet long, with safety rails, and utilize composite wood decking for aesthetics and durability. The DWR will solicit bids from commercial dock specialists for the repair and refurbishment of the docks at Andy Adams Reservoir as specialized equipment is required to lift the docks and install the new dock floats and guides.

Public use and structural integrity of the dock will be monitored by Clearfield City, Layton City, Kays Creek Irrigation, Farr West and DWR Northern Region personnel.

Clearfield City, Layton City, Kays Creek Irrigation, Farr West and the Division of Wildlife Resources

Clearfield City and Farr West will be responsible for maintenance of their new fishing docks. The Division of Wildlife will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the dock at Andy Adams Reservoir as part of the three-way cooperative agreement for management of Andy Adams between DWR, Kays Creek Irrigation, and Layton City.

The new dock at Steed Pond will be made of steel frames and composite wood (recycled plastic and reused saw dust), which will reduce overall maintenance and improve sustainability compared to traditional wood, which would require annual treatments with a water sealant. The docks at Andy Adams have already been repurposed and will be maintained instead of scrapped and purchasing new ones. This strategy is more economical, keeps materials out of the landfill, and saves resources that would otherwise be used to create new docks.