The Utah Inland Port Authority announced new funding and partnerships aimed at improving the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. The authority is allocating $7.5 million toward land conservation this year, which is $2.5 million more than previously expected.
Utah Natural Resources Commissioner Joel Ferry stated that these funds will assist the Utah Department of Natural Resources in protecting remaining wetlands and shorelines from future growth.
The funding initiative is part of an effort to create a defined buffer area between commercial development and the lake. This buffer is intended to provide clear boundaries for developers working on existing open land.
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz noted that recent developments, such as the creation of the inland port in Salt Lake City and the Legacy Highway, have made these buffers more noticeable. He also mentioned that state efforts previously included turning high-risk areas into the 665-acre Blackhawk Waterfowl Management area.
In addition to land conservation, the inland port is launching a partnership with the nonprofit Utah Water Way. The collaboration seeks to improve industrial water consumption at inland port facilities to reduce the amount of water consumed before it reaches the Great Salt Lake.
The initiative follows changes made this year to set aside a portion of inland port profits for public safety and environmental impacts. Ben Hart, director of the Utah Inland Port Authority, stated that there must be an effort for economic opportunity and the environment to coexist.
A new natural resources policy is being developed, which will incorporate insights from Utah Clean Energy and Utah's International DarkSky. The port plans to adjust this policy following public feedback before a scheduled vote in September.
