Steven E. Clyde

Throughout his career, Steve Clyde has specialized in natural resources law, including oil and gas, public land law, and mining law, with a primary emphasis in water law.

Mr. Clyde has represented numerous clients in the acquisition and sale of water rights, as well as in the conversion of water rights from agricultural irrigation use to domestic, municipal, and industrial use for the development of real property, particularly in the resort areas of Summit County, Utah. He has represented parties in negotiations for a Lease of Power Privilege on Bureau of Reclamation Facilities for the Central Utah Project, as well as in the negotiation of power sales contracts from the hydroelectric facilities constructed under the lease. Mr. Clyde is the former general counsel to the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, the sponsor of the Central Utah Project, and is knowledgeable regarding federal reclamation law. Real estate development projects for which he handled the water rights acquisition and conversion include the Jeremy Ranch, Park Meadows Golf Course and Development, Glenwild Golf Resort, Ranch Place, Landmark Plaza, Powder Mountain Ski Resort, Mountain Regional Water Special Service District, Summit Park Special Service District, Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbasin Ski Resort, Brian Head Ski Resort, and many others.

Mr. Clyde has represented many individuals and entities before the State Engineer of the State of Utah, both as applicants and as protestants to water rights applications. He has litigated water rights appeals in Utah state and federal courts, as well as the Utah Supreme Court. He also has experience in local government law, having represented numerous clients in planning and zoning activities before city and county planning and zoning authorities. Additionally, he drafted a water concurrency ordinance for Summit County, Utah, and created local special districts to provide water and sewer services within and outside incorporated municipalities.

Additionally, Mr. Clyde has served on the Utah Legislature’s Water Task Force and the Water Development Commission since 2007, working to revise Utah’s water laws. He is also involved with the development of legislation to secure the Great Salt Lake.