Click the link to read the article on The Deseret News website (Amy Joi O’Donoghue). Here’s an excerpt:
Even in ‘wet’ years, conservation, policy changes are paramount to restore the lake
All is not lost, a science based assessmentconcluded in a new report Wednesday. But a pragmatic analysis by a group of experts dubbed the Great Salt Lake Strike Team — made up of the Kem C. Gardener Institute of Policy, the University of Utah, Utah State University and the three state agencies of environmental quality, natural resources and agriculture — says action, however tectonic, is paramount.
“Declining water levels of Great Salt Lake threaten economic activity, local public health, and ecosystems. The situation requires urgent action. Fortunately, science provides crucial perspective, understanding, and scenarios for policymakers to chart a path forward. Many policy levers can help return the lake to healthy levels,” the report’s executive summary said.
The report is described as a “synthesized resource document” for this year’s legislative session containing data, insights and policy options to help devise strategies, improve water management and ultimately increase deliveries to the Great Salt Lake.
The report details six specific recommendations for gubernatorial and legislative support in the coming year:
- Leverage the wet years.
- Set a lake elevation range goal.
- Invest in conservation.
- Invest in water monitoring and modeling.
- Develop a holistic water management plan.
- Request an in-depth analysis of policy options.
Unrestrained growth is not the answer. Politicians need to grow some courage and make some hard decisions that may not sit well the business and special interests.