Friday Forum August 2018

The Utah Lake Restoration Project is a comprehensive plan for restoring Utah Lake. Considering the size, location, and ecological importance of Utah Lake, the promise of comprehensive restoration is an objective worthy of monumental collaboration and investment by the state of Utah and its citizens.

It will transform the Lake from an impaired, nutrient-loaded waterway, dominated by invasive species and prone to algal blooms, into a clear-water state lake with thousands of acres of restored native submerged plant zones, millions of June sucker, Bonneville cutthroat trout, and native fish species, flocks of geese, pelicans, bald eagles, osprey, and shore birds. In short, comprehensive restoration will turn back the clock on 150 years of lake ecosystem degradation.

The Utah Lake Restoration Project will contribute billions of dollars in private funding to accomplish these restoration goals. A $2 billion dredging project will result in a deeper, clearer lake, dotted with Islands for recreation, conservation, and world class water-front living. Over 30 billion gallons of water conservation savings will be produced through reduced evaporation and removal of miles of invasive plant species. The Project will provide a vibrant crown jewel of waterfront living and outdoor recreation, adding to the already tremendous natural wonders of the State of Utah.