The economic impact of Great Salt Lake

A new study finds that allowing Great Salt Lake to collapse will likely cause a literal economic collapse in Utah. This is all the more reason why UPHE’s lawsuit against the state to force them to adopt water policies needed to save the lake is critical to our future. 

“Most alarmingly,” say the co-authors affiliated with the Stegner Center’s Great Salt Lake Project, “it is increasingly clear that the policy tools currently available are insufficient to meet the challenge,” confirming the basis for our lawsuit.

The Salt Lake Tribune covered the study, writing, “The trajectory of full-on lake collapse could wreak billions in damage over time to the outlook as well for property values along the Wasatch Front, tourism, the ski industry, health insurers, the ability of Utah‘s technology sector to recruit vital talent and far beyond.” 

While that might finally get legislators’ attention, we must not lose sight of the real, most urgent reasons to act — our health and environment.

As the lake shrinks, more toxic dust is exposed, worsening Utah’s already dangerous air pollution. Wildlife habitat is disappearing. The lake’s collapse would be a public health emergency, not just a financial one.

Lawmakers seem most motivated by dollar signs, but the cost of inaction is far more than economic. We cannot afford to wait until the crisis hits their bottom line — we must act to protect our communities, ecosystems, and future.