Our lawsuit to protect GSL and why it’s needed

NPR’s All Things Considered did a story on Great Salt Lake, the agriculture problem associated with it’s condition, and UPHE’s lawsuit to hold the state accountable.

The piece mentions state money delegated to getting water to the lake. The state gave hundreds of millions of dollars towards the lake, some of which was supposed to help farmers upstream of the lake allow water to continue it’s natural flow to the lake. The real problem is the “use or lose” policy and mentality that encourages farmers to use as much water as they’re allotted so they don’t lose rights to it.

“The Great Salt Lake’s shrinking is already killing the brine shrimp that feed migratory birds. The dust storms are also increasingly threatening Utah’s snowpack and its snow-fed reservoirs, not to mention the lake effect snows themselves that help the state’s multi billion dollar ski industry,” NPR highlights some of the issues the lake shrinking poses.

Despite the warnings of expert scientists, Governor Cox doesn’t seem to be concerned with getting water to the lake. He told NPR he was less worried about it now that billions have been invested. But as the piece points out, and as UPHE president pointed out in an op-ed titled “Utah is sabotaging efforts to save Great Salt Lake,” the programs that billions have been invested in have shown little return.

While Governor Cox calls the concern of experts “laughable,” Dr. Brian Moench expresses concern over ensuring a healthy future for his family. “We’re very distressed there isn’t a continued urgency to address this problem. We would love to have our family reunited, but I have to honestly say that I’m not sure that’s a good idea given our air pollution. How tragic is that?“