Dirty air

Already Utah has some of the worst particulate air pollution in the nation, and dust storms create a real public health problem for parts of Davis and Weber counties. Enormous new areas of dry lake bed could dramatically worsen particulates in the air we breathe.

Poisonous water

Experts are concerned that the water flushed from GSLM’s evaporation ponds causes elevated levels of methyl mercury in Bear River Bay. Expanding operations would tend to increase mercury contamination. Methyl mercury is toxic to humans and wildlife.

Destruction of critical wildlife habitat

Great Salt Lake is a globally significant ecosystem, which serves as a stopping place for more than 5 million water birds each year. GSLM’s proposal has the potential for many significant wildlife impacts, not the least of which is the loss of more than 8,000 acres of important bird habitat in Bear River Bay. Various habitat losses would negatively impact the thousands of Utah birdwatchers and hunters who enjoy ducks and other water birds on the lake.

Loss of recreational access

Already, low lake levels make the Salt Lake Marina virtually useless. Reducing lake levels even further would make many areas of the lake unnavigable by boaters and close down the last remaining marina. Hunters and birdwatchers would have limited access and fewer birds to see.