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Panel Explores Ways to Revive Utah Lake Ecosystem

Posted on: Saturday, 24 September 2005, 18:00 CDT

Sep. 23--OREM -- Utah Lake has a rich legacy. It could have a rich future, too -- if the public starts caring and everyone involved with the embattled freshwater lake cooperate.

That was the consensus of ecologists, lake managers and observers Thursday during the Utah Lake Symposium at Utah Valley State College.

"It's our lake; it belongs to all of us," said Barry Tripp of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. "The benefit that comes from that lake should come to all of us."

Symposium speakers highlighted the lake's significant changes since humans first settled in Utah Valley, and explored plans for revitalizing the worn out body of water.

One of the largest freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi -- it's 24 miles long and 13 miles wide -- Utah Lake has historically been a source of food, resources and recreation, as well as being home to millions of plants and animals.

But gradual exhaustion of the ecosystem has left it struggling to survive, and the native-fish population of the lake, namely the June sucker, is at risk.

High revitalization costs, combined with struggles among the five agencies that have jurisdiction, plans to improve the situation grind slowly forward.

"For the most part, we've been ignoring the lake, and we've been doing that for a long time," said observer Terry Harward, Provo. "Everybody must understand we all win if we all work together."

Thursday's symposium was to be a springboard for collaboration and communication among the lake stakeholders, according to Chris Keleher, recovery-project assistant director for the Department of Natural Resources.

"There hasn't really been a concentrated effort," Keleher said. "Utah Lake, to us, is just such an incredible resource and the public is almost unaware of it."

There is some progress being made on shoreline issues, however.

Tripp said the lawsuit between the state and upland landowners concerning boundaries should be concluded by next summer. Eighty percent of the landowners have already settled, he said. A 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirmed state ownership of the lake bed, but no boundaries were defined in the ruling.

The state Land Board in 1994 told the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands to negotiate boundaries with landowners. In 1997, after several negotiations came to a standstill, state officials filed a lawsuit against those who refused to cooperate.

Tripp also said meetings for the newly formed Utah Lake Comprehensive Management Plan have started, and that state officials are working with city and county officials to set up some sort of shoreline authority to safeguard the lake's boundaries.

As far as restoring the lake and improving the water quality, speakers Thursday said it will be a hard, expensive and long-term project. But nothing will start until the community feels the desire and urgency, predicted Minnesota lake manager Dick Osgood.

"The lake is going to be a challenge because of the size and scope of it; it's very large and very shallow," Osgood said.

Added hydrologist Steve Thurin: "Utah Lake has been traditionally ignored, I think, as a natural resource. Until there is a strong public sentiment that it should be restored . . . change [will be] very difficult."

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Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

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