Editor's note: This story is an excerpt from the Great Salt Lake Collaborative's weekly newsletter, Lake Effect from Jan. 24, 2025. To keep up-to-date on water news from around Utah with a focus on Great Salt Lake and the Colorado River, subscribe here for free.
Dear Readers,
Week one of the Utah Legislature ends Jan. 24. No water-related bills were up for discussion but we do have legislative updates:
- The governor is saving water on his alfalfa farm, though he isn't take state subsidies to do it.
- Vigils will be held by advocates of the Great Salt Lake.
For the next several weeks while the Legislature is in session, we will be tracking water-related bills and funding requests to keep you up to date. We will seek information from our newsrooms partners, community organizations that track legislation — from the Utah Farm Bureau to Great Salt Lake Audubon — and tracking things on our own. We will do the collating so you don't have to. We promise to bring you unbiased, factual information about what's happening related to water at the Legislature.
And just for fun: Here's a fascinating look at Lake Bonneville.
Also In this issue:
- Long-term solutions for Great Salt Lake
- Swapping crops in Moab for homes
- Juggling population growth and ecosystem diversity
As always you can find all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org.
— Heather May, Great Salt Lake Collaborative Director
You asked, we answered
"Where can I find stories about memories of the lake?"
Many people have taken the time to share their stories of the lake in a variety of formats. For example, Poet Nan Seymour spearheaded the composition of irreplaceable, a collective poem about the lake.
Currently, Stay Salty: Lakefacing Stories is on display on 300 South in downtown Salt Lake City. The multimedia project, put together by Of Salt and Sand and displayed as part of Wake the Great Salt Lake, shares stories of the lake through quotes, podcasts, and images.
These are just a few examples of ways to interact with stories of the lake. To connect with others who find importance in the lake, consider getting involved in lake-focused events.What about you: How do you plan to get involved with water issues this year?
Do you have questions? Send them to
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