The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has pledged $3 million to support the removal of invasive reeds along the Great Salt Lake shoreline, according to an announcement by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on October 29, 2026.
The funding will be directed to the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to help manage phragmites, a non-native plant that can grow up to 15 feet tall and consumes twice as much water as native vegetation.
The invasive reeds form thick stands that crowd out native plants and wildlife while creating a significant wildfire risk. State officials noted that phragmites interfere with water reaching the lake and use several thousand acre-feet of water each year across affected areas.
Great Salt Lake Commissioner Hannah Freeze said the funding will allow crews to schedule treatments around seasonal environmental conditions. Freeze noted that phragmites has a significant impact on the hydrology of the Great Salt Lake, affecting how water moves through shoreline wetlands toward the lake.
The restoration project will involve mechanical clearing, repeated plant treatments, and long-term wetland restoration. The Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner will oversee the project in coordination with several divisions of Utah’s Department of Natural Resources.
Participating divisions include Water Resources, Water Rights, Wildlife Resources, and Forestry, Fire and State Lands. Local conservation groups and waterfowl management organizations are also expected to participate in the efforts.
The Utah Legislature established the commissioner’s office in 2023 to coordinate various agencies and organizations working to protect the Great Salt Lake. Gov. Cox described the $3 million contribution as an example of the cooperation required to protect the state's environment, economy, and quality of life.
The October 29 announcement did not provide a specific timeline for completing the expanded removal work, an estimate of how much additional water would reach the lake, or a specific acreage target for the restoration.
