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Great Salt Lake Advisory Council approves agenda and minutes; hears funding and research updates
Summary
At its first meeting of the year, the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council approved the meeting agenda and November minutes by voice vote, heard updates on state and federal funding commitments, and discussed scheduling and coordination for advisory research spending for fiscal 2026.
The Great Salt Lake Advisory Council approved its meeting agenda and the Nov. 13, 2024, meeting minutes by voice vote at the start of its first meeting of the year.
The approvals were procedural and adopted without recorded roll call. Leland Myers moved to approve the agenda and Tom Ward seconded; Joe Havas moved to approve the minutes and Leland Myers seconded. Both measures were adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Council members then heard updates from the commissioner's office, state agencies and a range of liaison presenters about planned federal and state funding for Great Salt Lake priorities and about a tighter schedule the council may use to obligate its yearly $125,000 research and project allocation earlier in the fiscal year.
Tim Davis of the commissioner's office previewed an implementation document tied to the Great Salt Lake Strategic Plan, the so-called 2034 plan, and noted multiagency work underway on monitoring and infrastructure. Davis said the Bureau of Reclamation has committed $50,000,000 to Great Salt Lake work through the commissioner's office and that the governor's budget includes $16,000,000 to match other federal and private funds to secure water for the lake. He also highlighted increased dust-monitoring budget requests from the Division of Air Quality.
Council members discussed adjustments to the advisory council's funding cycle and timelines for soliciting contractors and completing projects so that funds are obligated early in the fiscal year. Angela Gong of Forestry, Fire and State Lands presented two timeline options; members expressed a preference for the more aggressive schedule that would finalize scopes by May so contracts could be in place by July. Members and staff emphasized that 2025 will be a transition year while the new schedule is implemented.
The council also received brief updates and presentations on watershed coordination, water conservation programs, an updated avoided-cost economic assessment solicitation, and a public notice that a feasibility application for a lithium pilot on the lake had been posted for public review.
The council adjourned with its next regular meeting scheduled for March 12.
