All facets of the increasingly controversial topic of water in the Uintah Basin will be discussed and presented in the upcoming annual Uintah Basin Water Summit. This year’s summit is set for Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Crossroads Senior and Community Center in Roosevelt.

The one day event will begin with welcome remarks by Duchesne County Water Conservancy District Vice Chairman Larry Ross at 9 a.m.

Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Mike Styler, will present the keynote address, “The Politics of Water,” beginning at 9:10 a.m.

Styler will speak on “The Politics of Water.” Styler has served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and is the administrative leader of more than 1,200 employees. His department manages seven state divisions: Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Oil, Gas and Mining, Parks and Recreation, Utah Geological Survey, Water Rights, Water Resources, and Natural Resources Policy Group.

Other speakers at the conference include Dave Brown, new State Conservationist for Utah’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

This year’s conference is hosted by the Duchesne County Area Chamber of Commerce and organized by water entities and water and soil conservancy districts throughout the Uintah Basin.

“We would encourage all the citizens of the Uintah Basin who are interested in these timely topics on water to attend,” Duchesne County Chamber of Commerce director Irene Hansen said.

Those planning on attending the all-day event can expect as well as a Dutch oven luncheon for conference attendees. Registration is now in progress and applications are available from the Duchesne County Chamber, Uintah and Duchesne County Water Conservancy Districts and the Daggett County Conservancy District.

Advance Registration is $25 per person if received before Jan. 31 and $35 through February and at the door. Registration includes all workshops, speaker’s presentations and lunch.

Sponsorships and booth space for sponsors and vendors is still available. Contact the Duchesne County chamber for details at 435-722-4598.