The American Conservation Coalition (ACC), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization involved in the conservative environmental movement, has published a new report outlining its plan of action to refill the Great Salt Lake.
The report was authored by Shawn Regan, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and senior advisor to ACC.
In February, President Donald Trump called for $1 billion to be allocated to Great Salt Lake restoration. The ACC is proposing ways to use the allocation.
"If the United States can successfully save the iconic landmark, it would be the first country to restore a declining saltwater lake," the ACC said in introducing its study.
"We have a Teddy Rooseveltian opportunity in front of us," said ACC President Chris Barnard. "The Great Salt Lake is not only a valued part of our natural heritage but also deeply important for biodiversity, the local economy and human health. By prioritizing the restoration of the lake, our nation can set an example for the rest of the world in conservation efforts."
The report provides recommendations for a potential $1 billion investment, presented through the lens of state leadership and market-based solutions. Recommendations include voluntary water leasing, agricultural partnerships, infrastructure improvements and supply augmentation through technology such as cloud seeding.
The ACC said the effort should be state-led, not federally led, to ensure Utahns are at the center of the work.
In May, ACC members in Utah partnered with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to host a restoration service project at the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding trails. Volunteers focused on enhancing trail accessibility and removing invasive weed species, resulting in improved public access and enriched visitor experiences since the completion of the projects. Before the event, Gov. Spencer Cox addressed the group about the future of the Great Salt Lake and the significant efforts required for its restoration in the coming years.
The full ACC report on the restoration of the Great Salt Lake can be found on the organization's website at https://acc.eco.