A drone photo of the Great Salt Lake, where UIPA on July 16 announced new funding for shoreline preservation and wetland conservation (Courtesy UIPA)
The Utah Inland Port Authority has announced a $2.5 million investment that raises its Great Salt Lake shoreline preservation and conservation funding to $7.5 million.
UIPA will work with the Utah Department of Natural Resources to support this preservation and evaluate opportunities to direct the funding to make the biggest impact.
"Salt Lake City's relationship with the Great Salt Lake is personal," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "The lake shapes our air, our water, our wildlife, our economy and the daily lives of people across this region ... especially in our westside communities. Protecting its shorelines and wetlands is one of the most important ways we protect the health, resilience and future of the people who call this place home."
Part of this preservation effort involves a buffer area between the edge of the GSL shoreline and further development.
"I do truly believe that this is a strong example of how economic development can coexist with land conservation, and we can all work together for a brighter future," said Joel Ferry, the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Joel Ferry, commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, shares details on the funding for shoreline preservation. (Courtesy UIPA)
Along with the investment, UIPA announced a new partnership with Utah Water Ways and discussed the draft of its Natural Resources Policy. This collaboration will pursue water-wise practices for future development in Utah.
These practices include helping Utahns choose the right plants, landscape designs and irrigation systems to help direct a healthier ecosystem, as well as creating a new curriculum in schools to teach the water cycle and water infrastructure.
Utah Water Ways will work with UIPA to discuss responsible industry and growth — water will now be at the top of the list of things they consider before beginning development.
"This is exactly the type of partnership Utah needs as we plan for the future," said Tage Flint, executive director of Utah Water Ways. "Water conservation cannot be an afterthought. By building water-wise practices into the front end of economic development, UIPA is helping set a stronger standard for how growth can happen responsibly in our state."
UIPA's focus on responsible development includes partnerships with Utah Clean Energy and Dark Sky Utah. These groups will aid in creating energy-efficient practices and lower the impact of light pollution in developing areas.
"Industrial growth creates economic opportunity, but it also creates real impacts," said Ben Hart, UIPA executive director. "Our responsibility is to help communities plan for those impacts, reduce them where possible, and invest in solutions that create long-term value for Utah."
UIPA's executive director, Ben Hart, speaks about Great Salt Lake preservation investments. (Courtesy UIPA)
Following this funding, UIPA will shift to a more consistent and collaborative approach to development, rather than individual planning. Officials say this new framework for area preparation will encourage businesses and communities to consider environmental impacts, including water use, when beginning to develop.
"This investment," Hart said, "reflects the kind of responsible growth UIPA is committed to: growth that supports jobs, infrastructure and opportunity while also protecting the Great Salt Lake, conserving water and addressing impacts in the communities we serve."
