Utah s Proposed Bills: Protecting the Great Salt Lake and Expanding State Parks

Three bills that will impact Utah’s infrastructure, the Great Salt Lake, and public lands near the state’s parks have passed both the House and Senate and are now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah called the bills “big wins for Utah,” saying they give the state more control over its resources and help protect the Great Salt Lake. Lee emphasized the importance of preserving the lake, warning that if it continues to dry up, it could cause major ecological problems.

Two other bills, sponsored by Lee, passed the Senate but still need approval from the House. These bills focus on creating a wildfire research institute at Utah State University and addressing energy production at the Glen Canyon Dam.

The three bills that passed both the House and Senate are:

1. The Great Salt Lake Restoration Act: This bill will redirect millions of dollars that were set aside for water conservation to help preserve the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding areas. It was sponsored by Lee in the Senate and supported by Senator Mitt Romney and Utah’s House delegation.
2. The Mountain View Corridor Completion Act: This bill allows Utah to buy 200 acres of federal land to complete a highway connecting Salt Lake City to northern Utah County. The highway extension will help reduce traffic in the area. Lee introduced this bill in the Senate, with Representative Burgess Owens sponsoring it in the House.
3. The Utah State Parks Adjustment Act: This legislation will transfer land near three state parks—Antelope Island, Fremont Indian, and Wasatch Mountain—to the state. It will make it easier for the state to maintain and manage these areas. Lee introduced the bill in the Senate, with Representative Celeste Maloy sponsoring it in the House.

There are also two bills that passed the Senate but still need House approval:

1. Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act: This bill would establish a research institute at Utah State University to study ways to reduce wildfire risks.
2. Glen Canyon Dam Hydropower and Environmental Impacts: This bill seeks to address problems with hydropower production at the Glen Canyon Dam by creating a partnership among several federal agencies. It aims to balance energy needs with environmental protection, benefiting both Utah’s power needs and wildlife.

These bills are steps toward improving Utah’s infrastructure, preserving its natural resources, and addressing environmental challenges.