Utah Lake islands project rejected
We are delighted to include the latest piece of news on the scheme to dredge Utah Lake.
“A controversial application to dredge Utah Lake as part of a massive island-building project will be canceled, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands announced Thursday in a news release” the Salt Lake Tribune reported last week.
UPHE joined practically every other professional group in opposition to this proposal. Despite being touted as a restoration effort, it would have destroyed unique qualities of the lake and counteracted improvements made by ongoing restoration efforts. A group of over 100 scientists and experts opposed the proposal openly through a letter raising fundamental concerns that the project would actually worsen the water quality.
Concerns were also raised over the project disrupting water rights, being an illegal use of public lands, and having questionable financial backings.
“Lake Restoration Solutions (LRS) has claimed for the past five years that its plan to dredge a billion cubic yards of lake bed sediments would result in numerous public benefits — while also creating up to 20,000 acres of developable real estate. Most importantly, the project is supposed to restore Utah’s largest freshwater lake, which has long been plagued with nutrient contamination, algal blooms, invasive species and myriad other ecological woes stemming from a century of neglect.
But despite ‘working tirelessly’ with LRS, the state agency concluded the application must be rejected since the proposal would privatize ‘sovereign lands’ in violation of the state’s obligations to manage the lake bed in the ‘public trust’ as required under the Utah Constitution, according to the 94-page decision” the Tribune wrote.
Robust public opposition undoubtedly helped this proposal not slip through. Thanks to all those who wrote op-eds, called their representatives and spread the scientific truth behind this scheme. We join Utah County in celebrating the rejection of the absurd fantasy island idea.
UPHE remains committed to keeping the public involved in the health of our future here in Utah. Please continue to look out for ways you can comment or get involved to fight the next bad idea.