Skip to main content

Davis Journal

Lawmakers get bird’s eye view of shrinking Great Salt Lake

Mar 01, 2022 10:21AM ● By Becky Ginos

SALT LAKE CITY—What has long been the unique feature of Utah has almost disappeared. In an effort to find ways to preserve the Great Salt Lake, Speaker Brad Wilson is running HB410 Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program. Last week, several legislators were given the opportunity to fly over the lake to see first hand the dire situation it is in.

“It was an absolutely amazing experience to fly over the Great Salt Lake,” said Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton. “I thought I knew the lake. I’ve been out there many, many times. But seeing it from the air it was much worse than I thought. It’s not a lake anymore.”

HB410 takes $40 million to set up a Great Salt Lake task force, he said. “It will bring together people who are really focused on various aspects of the lake.”

The significant inflow into the Great Salt Lake comes from the Bear River, said Handy. “In Davis County there’s inflow from the north and south Davis sewer districts so the task force will include someone from the sewer district.”

There’s a dry, dry bed, he said. “You can see the dangers of a wind storm. Davis County is ground zero for toxic dust that will come our way. It’s important that people don’t ride around on ATVs and disturb it.”

Handy is also a cosponsor on SB49 State Film Production Incentives which has been somewhat controversial. “The film commission has done an amazing study on the impacts,” he said. “Not only do we have wonderful scenery but great production crews. If you want this you have to play the game.”


The production company can apply for tax credits up to 20 percent. “It’s been a lot of work but the incentives from the film industry, especially in rural Utah, really helps their economy.”


SB49 passed out of the Senate last week and will head to the House floor for consideration.