Question by Becky Zani, South Jordan, Utah
It’s complicated.
Seven state entities are in charge of different parts of the lake.
“It takes a village,” says Laura Vernon, Great Salt Lake Coordinator who helps run the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, yet another group that helps monitor the lake. It was created by the Utah Legislature in 2010 to advise on the lake’s sustainable use, protection and development.
Here is a list of that village for everyone who wants to keep track:
Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining
This division’s involvement with Great Salt Lake “isn’t enormous,” according to Vernon. She said this division does have some involvement with oil and gas exploration at Great Salt Lake, like when there were tar seeps by the Spiral Jetty. She said this division would also figure out how to restore the site after such an occurrence.
Division of State Parks
This department manages the various state parks across Utah, which includes Great Salt Lake. “There are a couple state parks that are around the Great Salt Lake, or in, depending on how you look at it,” Vernon said.
Those include Antelope Island State Park, Willard Bay State Park, and the Great Salt Lake State Park.
“They’re the ones who perform the search and rescue operations, should they be required on Great Salt Lake, as well,” she said.
Division of Water Resources
This division is charged to plan, conserve, develop, and protect Utah’s water resources. Vernon said this division manages the movement of water around the state.
Division of Water Rights
This agency is responsible for the appropriation and distribution of Utah’s valuable water resources. “They authorize water leases and water rights to individual owners,” Vernon said.
People who want to donate water rights to Great Salt Lake can file a change application with this division. “The applicant would need to work with the existing water right holder and the Division of Water Rights,” she said.
Division of Wildlife Resources
According to their website, this division serves the people of Utah by managing, sustaining, and enhancing the state’s wildlife. Vernon said this division manages the wildlife on the lake, like the birds, the brine shrimp, and the brine flies.
Utah Geological Survey
The Utah Geological Survey, otherwise known as UGS, is an entity under the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Vernon said this division monitors Great Salt Lake‘s current conditions and saline levels.
—Reported and written by McCaulee Blackburn
