#Utah: 2018 State of the Environment Report

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in waterbodies, known as nutrient pollution, is a growing problem in Utah and across the country. Nutrients are linked to cyanobacterial growth, including harmful algal blooms, and can lower dissolved-oxygen levels in waterbodies, adversely affecting aquatic life. This pollution comes from a variety of sources, including wastewater treatment plants, nonpoint source pollution from agricultural operations, and residential and municipal stormwater runoff. Nutrient pollution poses a significant threat to Utah’s economic growth and quality of life, leading to substantial costs to the state and taxpayers if left unaddressed.

Click here to go to the State of Utah website.

Here’s a report from Amy Joi O’Donoghue writing for The Deseret News. Here’s an excerpt:

On Wednesday [January 2, 2019], the Utah Department of Environmental Quality released its annual State of the Environment Report, featuring a message from Executive Director Alan Matheson and a comprehensive examination of challenges faced and milestones achieved in 2018.

The report examines agency actions through its five divisions, including water quality, air quality, and environmental response and remediation of contaminated land.

New this year is an online link to some of the agency’s most popular blogs informing residents of snowblower exchanges to cut wintertime emissions, wood stove exchange grants and tips on recycling the right way…

Matheson noted efforts by divisions to address ozone emissions in the oil- and gas-producing region of eastern Utah, boost wastewater improvements in cities like Logan and Salem, help areas with drinking water problems in the aftermath of wildfires and remediation of the Sharon Steel Superfund site.

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