Utah has appointed two new officials to assist in managing the state's response to the drying Great Salt Lake, according to a September 20 report. Hannah Freeze has been named the new lake commissioner, and Jamie Barnes has been named the new chief leading the Department of Natural Resources following their confirmation by the Senate on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Hannah Freeze, who previously served as the deputy Great Salt Lake commissioner, replaces Brian Steed, who left to serve as a vice president at Utah State University. Freeze, a former program manager in the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s water optimization program, noted during a hearing with the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Confirmation Committee that she intends to collaborate with stakeholders to find solutions that benefit both agriculture and the lake. Freeze mentioned her desire to work with federal officials regarding a proposed $1 billion for the lake.
Jamie Barnes, formerly Utah's state forester, will lead the Department of Natural Resources. Barnes stated that the focus for the department includes managing a rock barrier between the lake's north and south arms to control salinity, stabilizing the ecosystem, and managing dust. Barnes emphasized the necessity of long-term planning and managing water flows to the lake.
The leadership changes occur as the Great Salt Lake declines toward its historic 2022 low levels due to climate change, drought, and water redirection, much of which is used for agriculture. The decline has raised concerns regarding the state's economy, environment, and public health due to dust containing heavy metals from the exposed lake bed.
During the confirmation hearing, Freeze and Barnes received praise from former Department of Natural Resources commissioner Joel Ferry, representatives of the Utah Farm Bureau, and the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. Ben Abbott of the conservation group Grow the Flow stated that the state could face a lake collapse within two to three years if water flows are not increased.
The state's leadership transition comes ahead of anticipated changes to the Senate presidency following the defeat of Sen. Stuart Adams in the Republican primary. Sen. Scott Sandall noted that the next Senate president will likely maintain a focus on the importance of the Great Salt Lake for the region.
