FARMINGTON — By being “at the end of the pipe,” Davis County could benefit handily from Jordan River development.

An update on activities of the Jordan River Commission was given to county commissioners, recently. They will be asked to sign an interlocal agreement shortly.

“The Jordan River is a diamond in the rough, an unrealized treasure,” said Alan Matheson, executive director of Envision Utah.

River development and cleanup was cited in such cities as Boise, Idaho, Pueblo and Denver, Colo., as well as the well-known San Antonio Riverwalk as ways of “defining” a community.

Matheson said over 3,000 people have been asked to provide input on what they believe the Jordan River and environs should be.

Areas of development interest will center on recreation, from kayaking to a trail from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake, while maintaining as much natural area as possible, he said.

Matheson recounted the process started about three years ago where cities and counties along the Jordan have started talking and working together on potential development.

With a budget of about $200,000 projected to run the commission, about $5,000 might be requested from Davis County, based on its one-mile frontage, Matheson said.

Fees asked could range from $2,000 for small communities with little frontage to $14,000 to $15,000 for Salt Lake City and a lot more for Salt Lake County.

“Salt Lake County will give $40,000 in an ongoing commitment,” Matheson said. Utah County, like Davis, has little actual frontage along the river.

However, it has several miles compared to Davis County’s one or so miles, and may be asked to contribute about $10,000, he said.

Potential contribution levels are based on frontage, population impacted and value to the government entity of the river’s development.

Matheson said what he termed “small villages” could be developed along the river where river users could rent a kayak, buy food, or other supplies.

Fifteen municipalities and three counties are crossed by the river, with representatives from each entity serving on the planning committee.

County planner Scott Hess, who oversees trails among many other duties, represents the county.

Hess said an interlocal agreement should be ready for action by the county commission within the next week.

“The ability to create a whole new area will have significant impact,” said County Commission Chair John Petroff. “To encourage development of the whole corridor, including recreation, would be a great amenity.”

Davis County is preparing to start paving a 10-foot wide one-mile long trail to the Salt Lake County line, within weeks. The Salt Lake County portion is already completed. Some $100,000 has been committed for that project, County Commissioner Louenda Downs said.

“That’s an important piece to us, shown by our commitment (of dollars),” she said. “This (interlocal agreement) is something we want to consider.”

“We’re having progress at a momentum I’ve never seen before. We’re envisioned as a world-class region” in terms of cooperating to bring positive results, Matheson said.