This legislative session saw a focus on energy development, land use, and government transparency—while water conservation and Great Salt Lake took a backseat. That said, there were still some small but important victories for the lake!
The Good:
While progress was limited, a few key bills made it through that could positively impact water conservation and Great Salt Lake. Here’s a look at what passed:
- HB0274: Requires conservation based, tiered pricing for water retailers in Utah.
- Why it matters: Encourages more responsible water use across the board.
- HB0446: Expands the GSL Commissioner’s Office’s authority to negotiate water leasing.
- Why it matters: Increases resources available to expand the effectiveness of voluntary water leasing and water markets.
- HB243: Allows funds from the ag optimization fund to be used to study the program’s effectiveness.
- Why it matters: Research suggests that ag optimization could actually increase depletion. By studying the program, the state can ensure more water “saved” by ag optimization makes it to the lake.
- $1M for the GSL Commissioner’s Office: Provides more resources for water leasing and voluntary donations of water rights.
- $150K for dust monitoring: funds a full-time staffer dedicated to researching and analyzing GSL dust.
The Bad:
Unfortunately, the legislature prioritized inland port expansion and costly water augmentation projects over sensible, cost-effective water conservation. Here are the policies that moved us in the wrong direction:
- SB239: Expands the Utah Inland Port Authority’s power, allowing development beyond project areas while limiting public access to records.
- Why it matters: Reduces transparency and public oversight of UIPA decisions.
- HB311: A last-minute substitute changed this bill drastically, expanding the Utah Water Agent’s authority to negotiate water importation projects with Colorado River and Bear River, as well as directly recommend projects to the Board of Water Resources.
- Why it matters: While it doesn’t explicitly fast-track in-state water development projects like the Bear River Development, it demonstrates the state’s prioritization of costly, unproven water augmentation projects over cost-efficient water conservation measures.
- $50M in federal funding put on hold: In Fall 2024, the state received $50 million in federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to expand water markets and improve water infrastructure in the Great Salt Lake watershed. With recent changes in the administration, these funds are currently frozen and their future remains unknown.
The Missed Opportunities:
Despite some wins, several important bills and RFAs that could have strengthened water conservation and benefitted Great Salt Lake failed to make it through. Here’s what didn’t pass but should have:
- Fully funding the GSL Commissioner’s Office ($16 Million Request)
- Only $1M was appropriated, limiting the commissioner’s ability to effectively engage in water leasing negotiations. Securing the water rights necessary to make a difference for Great Salt Lake will cost tens of millions per year.
- Fully funding dust monitoring ($651,000 Request)
- With only $150K of the $651K request, the state won’t have the resources to purchase and install additional monitors around Great Salt Lake. This funding was requested by the Governor, and the lack of monitors will make it more difficult to mitigate the public health consequences of dust events.
- HB328: A sensible regulation to limit overheard spray on new residential and commercial developments.
- This bill would have been an important step to address municipal water use, but received pushback from sod farmers and ultimately failed despite support from water districts and several committees.
- SB0092: Would have required public golf courses to report their water use to the Board of Water Resources.
- Despite being worked on during interim and numbered in the beginning of the session, this bill failed to be heard in a House Committee.
- SB305: Would have regulated landscaping requirements on government properties
- Failed in the Senate Natural Resources Committee, getting labeled as a “war on grass and infringement on property rights” by committee members.
Stay Engaged in the Interim
We need to build a bench of legislative leadership willing to be champions for Great Salt Lake and pass effective policy next year! Here’s how you can help:
- Join your local Grow the Flow Chapter in Utah Valley, Salt Lake, Ogden, or Provo!
- Contact your legislators to thank them for their work this year and tell them you would like to see Great Salt Lake become one of their TOP priorities next legislative session.
- Engage your community through conversations and education.
- Visit the lake and see firsthand why it’s worth saving! The birds are starting to make their way home for the summer. Take photos and post them on Instagram with the hashtag #growtheflowutah