Lawmakers, environmental advocates and researchers gathered for the second annual Great Salt Lake Summit Thursday to discuss potential solutions to the environmental crisis unfolding at the saline lake.
Aerial view of salt-laden river channel emptying into Great Salt Lake, Utah. Photo: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Lawmakers, environmental advocates and researchers gathered for the second annual Great Salt Lake Summit Thursday to discuss potential solutions to the environmental crisis unfolding at the"It's been made abundantly clear to all of us that saving the Great Salt Lake and implementing greater water conservation statewide is not a small task," Republican House Speaker Brad Wilson said.
"It's definitely not something that those in this room or I can do alone. It's going to take a concerted effort across the state."Wilson announced Weber Basin Water and Jordan Valley Water conservancy districts would send an additional combined 30,000 acre feet of water into the lake before the end of the year.by International Water Holdings and lawmakers — that would pump water from the Pacific Ocean into the Great Salt Lake would cost the state between $60 to $100 billion.
"Now that's really expensive … but what is the cost to do nothing if we continue down this road?" he said, adding that no idea was too big or unreasonable.Climate change, the ongoing drought and the state's rising population have exacerbated the Great Salt Lake's demise, which could result inthis year to spend $40 million to preserve the body of water.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify the Weber Basin and Jordan Valley water conservancy districts would send an additional 30,000 acre feet of water to the GSL.
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