On March 25th, I headed out to Utah from Washington state to bless the Great Salt Lake. I felt called to do so as I happened to drop-in during a legislative session virtually where a specialist was talking about an ecological disaster, that was similar to the impending GSL disaster. That disaster was known as Lake Owens. Over 100 years ago, the people of Los Angeles decided to drain that lake to bring water to their city and feed their crops. This caused 300,000 tons of toxic dust, including arsenic, to get kicked-up into the atmosphere every single year from the dried-out lake bed. The Great Salt Lake is 15 times larger than Owens, potentially creating a 15 times larger toxic dust bowl.

The legislative proceedings that went over the fate of the lake, that international news sources like Vice and WSJ have dubbed as “An Ecological Nuclear Bomb”; proposed solutions during the many meetings that ended in February this year. The final conclusions to their efforts? “We need to do a more thorough study on the lake,” was the collective conclusion. I’m simplifying the sentiment, but I want the readers of PulseDNA to get a realistic picture of what actually is happening here as 60% of the water mass that makes up the lake is already drained.

There is never a stopping point when coming-up with solutions to solve our nation’s greatest ecological disaster in-the-making. Many legislators, scientists specializing in biology and hydrology and educational institutions – along with the Department of Natural Resources – have been involved in finding solutions. All avenues to fix the problem, however, don’t propose an immediate replenishment in raising the level of water to get the lake back to healthy levels.

Representative Doug Owens has been at the forefront of efforts to address the challenges facing the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. He fuels himself with large sodas in the morning, at least the morning I caught-up with him, to come up with innovative ways to get the whole community interested in saving the lake. “By the time the Olympics come around (in 2034), we should present to the world a healed lake,” Owens asserts, emphasizing the urgency of restoring the lake to its former glory. Owens mentioned to me in our phone chat that there is an invasive species of plant covering 40,000 acres, which is depleting rainwater and hindering replenishment efforts.

“We need to do vastly more than what we're doing to put water into the lake,” Owens adds, underscoring the need for comprehensive action to reverse the lake's decline. Not more than 5 minutes into our phone interview, Rep. Owens asked me to call him Doug. So I’m doing so in this article as well.

Doug's legislative initiatives aim to address the root causes of the lake's depletion, focusing on water conservation, management, and restoration. One significant bill sponsored by Doug is H.B. 401, which seeks to limit municipal irrigation seasons within the Great Salt Lake watershed. By restricting municipal irrigation from May 1st to Sept. 30th, the bill aims to conserve water resources and alleviate pressure on the lake during critical periods. “Despite facing challenges in the legislative process, the bill underscores the importance of implementing measures to mitigate water usage and protect the lake's ecosystem,” Doug explains.

Additionally, Doug has supported H.B. 448, which requires the monitoring of state water optimization efforts. This bill emphasizes the need for accountability and transparency in water management practices, ensuring that resources are utilized effectively to benefit the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding watershed. “By quantifying and reporting on water optimization efforts, policymakers can make informed decisions to safeguard the lake's ecological integrity,” states Doug.

Another legislative endeavor spearheaded by Doug is H.B. 520, which promotes the fallowing of agricultural land to reduce water consumption. By incentivizing farmers to leave land unirrigated for a season or longer, the bill aims to curtail agricultural water usage, a significant contributor to water depletion in the region. This proactive approach to water conservation aligns with broader efforts to preserve the Great Salt Lake's water supply and ecological balance.

In addition to sponsoring bills, Doug has advocated for various requests for appropriation (RFAs) aimed at supporting critical initiatives for the Great Salt Lake. One such RFA is the proposal for a Split-Season Lease Projects pilot program, which seeks funding to incentivize farmers to lease water rights for part of the year, allowing water to flow downstream to the lake during crucial periods. This innovative approach to water management demonstrates a commitment to exploring new strategies for enhancing water availability and ecosystem health.

Furthermore, Doug has championed RFAs for crucial infrastructure projects, such as the Great Salt Lake Watershed Measurement Infrastructure and the Ogden Canyon Water Line. These initiatives focus on improving water diversion and transmission systems, ensuring efficient water allocation and distribution throughout the watershed. By investing in infrastructure upgrades, policymakers aim to enhance the resilience of water systems and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity on the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.

There has been proposed RFAs targeting invasive species management, such as the eradication of phragmites, a water-intensive invasive species that threatens the ecological balance of the Great Salt Lake. By allocating funds for invasive species control efforts, policymakers seek to mitigate the adverse effects of invasive species on water quality and ecosystem dynamics.

Doug has supported RFAs for research initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing agricultural water use within the Great Salt Lake watershed. These efforts include studies on irrigation practices, water conservation strategies, and the implementation of innovative water-saving technologies. By investing in research and data collection, policymakers aim to inform evidence-based decision-making and promote sustainable water management practices.

In the face of mounting challenges, the fate of the Great Salt Lake hangs in the balance. By harnessing the power of collective action, with efforts spearheaded by people like Doug who embraces innovative solutions, we can protect the air we breathe. Everyone should and can be involved in preventing an “ecological nuclear bomb” from devastating our largest saline lake in the western hemisphere.

Do bills like H.B. 401 adequately address the Great Salt Lake crisis, or do they overlook deeper ecological challenges?

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