State engineer retiring at 57 after 7 years in the hot seat

Jerry Olds said Thursday that he plans to retire effective Dec. 16 from his job of seven years as Utah state engineer, a position that every year, regardless of who holds the post, winds up as a defendant in multiple lawsuits.

As the governor-appointed person at the center of reviewing about 6,000 water-rights cases each year, Olds, 57, has one wish for how people might view his legacy.

"I hope it's one where they say, 'He was fair and tried to do the right thing,"' Olds said. "I think if at the end of the day that's what the water community felt, then I've been successful."

He's particularly proud of several settlements he helped navigate, avoiding litigation, that involved American Indian tribes and the federal government. Being a skilled negotiator, he noted, probably helped in tough situations.

Water-rights issues are often complicated and controversial, with about 2,000 cases contested annually. Those are usually negotiated down to about 100 cases that result in requests for reconsideration. Olds said between 10 and 12 water-rights cases each year land in court.

Utah Department of Natural Resources executive director Mike Styler said in a statement that Olds' professionalism and knowledge earned him respect among colleagues. "I have appreciated Jerry's calm demeanor on controversial issues," Styler said.

Olds has worked for the Utah Division of Water Rights for 36 years, and seven years ago, he accepted the governor-appointed position of state engineer.

As for retiring, he said, "I feel it's the right decision for me personally. I just decided, you know, maybe now's the time for a change."

Olds said he may seek other job opportunities after he officially retires, avoiding any conflict of interest now by starting a search for other work. Meanwhile, he said, he'll spend time with his wife and family and maybe fish or golf a little.

Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. will look for someone to replace Olds, and the Senate will need to confirm the governor's choice.

Last year, a case in U.S. District Court pitted the city of Roosevelt against Olds because he denied a so-called point-of-diversion application that would have allowed the city to add an existing but formerly unused well to its culinary water system. Nineteen cities ponied up $13,400 to help Roosevelt cover its legal costs in the fight. That case and about two dozen others are still pending, Olds said.

"You have to make some tough calls," he said. "You look at the science that's available, as well as statutes and case laws. You have to make the call the way you see it."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com