This paired with a leveraged $50 million from the state of Utah means that this will be a $100 million investment in the Great Salt Lake.According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner and Utah Department of Natural Resources plan to utilize the funding to enhance and expand their ongoing agricultural optimization efforts.
“The impacts of drought to the area are evident and we must work with the state and local community to conserve this important water body to stop negative impacts to the local environment and wildlife habitat, the agriculture ecosystem services, recreation, and industry.”The bureau says that currently, the Great Salt Lake is roughly one-third of its normal size. Officials have adopted a strategic plan to address the issue through both short-term and long-term actions.