In November of 2022, the Great Salt Lake fell to a new record low water level not seen in all the years since elevation levels were first recorded from when pioneers settled the valley in 1847. As water levels dropped, salinity spiked, threatening an ecosystem that supports over 10 million migratory birds and a brine shrimp industry that helps feed tens of millions of people around the world. According to the Act, the strategic plan must include the following elements: (1) Coordination of efforts related to the Great Salt Lake; (2) A sustainable water supply for the Great Salt Lake, while balancing competing needs; (3) Human health and quality of life; (4) A healthy ecosystem; Economic development; (5) Water conservation, including municipal and industrial uses and agricultural uses;; (6) Water and land use planning; (7) Regional water sharing; and (8) Other provisions that the Commissioner determines would be for the benefit of the Great Salt Lake. This document represents an initial strategy to more effectively protect the Great Salt Lake, while balancing the other ecological, economic, and societal interests surrounding the lake. This is no small task, particularly in light of continued economic growth, sustained drought, and higher temperatures, which threaten to increase demand and shrink available water supplies even further.
Type (DCMI):
Text
Type (Utah):
Report; Plan
Internet Media Type:
application/pdf
Language:
eng
Topic:
Natural resources; Environmental protection
Subject (LCSH):
Strategic planning; Independent regulatory commissions; Independent regulatory commissions--Management; Salt lakes; Salt lake ecology; Salinity; Saline waters; Lake conservation; Lakes; Lakes--Economic aspects; Lakes--Environmental aspects; Lakes--Management; Lakes--Planning; Droughts; Droughts--Economic aspects; Droughts--Environmental aspects; Droughts--Health aspects; Droughts--Government policy; Droughts--Management; Droughts--Planning; Climatic changes; Climatic changes--Economic aspects; Environmental protection; Water conservation; Water conservation--Government policy; Water conservation--Management; Water conservation--Planning; Water levels; Conservation of natural resources; Conservation of natural resources--Government policy; Conservation of natural resources--Management; Conservation of natural resources--Planning; Water-supply; Water-supply--Effect of global warming on; Water-supply--Government policy; Water-supply--Management; Water-supply--Planning; Water-supply, Agricultural; Water-supply, Agricultural--Management; Water in agriculture; Water use; Water use--Government policy; Water use--Management; Water use--Planning; Wetlands; Wetland ecology; Global environmental change
Place:
Great Salt Lake, Box Elder County, Utah, United States, http://sws.geonames.org/5775376/, 41.16266, -112.53491
Rights:
The Utah State Library Division considers state publications made available by state agencies and political subdivisions as required by Utah Code Ann. § 9-7-201 to 9-7-209 to be in the public domain under U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C.). All informational materials in this government publication are in the public domain, and as such, are not restricted by copyright law unless otherwise stated.