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Utah Lake Authority staff describe new grants, signage project, visitor counters and 90,000+ restoration plantings
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Summary
Staff reported a new TTAP grant to fund marketing, a $327,500 Outdoor Recreation Initiative grant for county master plans, a Lakewide signage/brand guide procurement, EcoCounter rollout at 33 access points with ongoing data cleaning, and conservation staff reported installing 21,180 plants in October and more than 90,000 plants total since 2023.
Utah Lake Authority staff briefed the board on Nov. 12 about several ongoing programs and recent accomplishments, including grants, visitor-counting equipment, events and large-scale restoration plantings.
Executive Director Luke Peterson said the Authority secured a TTAP grant to continue its second-phase advertising effort and that staff are recruiting a shared Utah Lake Restoration Coordinator position in partnership with the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL). Peterson thanked departing board members in the coming months and previewed administrative work around reappointments.
Sam (operations and recreation) gave a detailed recreation and data update: the recreation access plan comment period closes this coming Friday; Landmark Design is contracted to develop a Lakewide signage and brand guide; master-planning procurement for several access points (Lincoln Beach/Lincoln Point, Knowles/Sandy Beach and additional county sites) is underway; and the program received a $327,500 Outdoor Recreation Initiative grant to support county master plans. Sam said 33 of 34 EcoCounter devices are now installed, but the dataset is being cleaned and adjusted (for example, vehicle counts are currently converted to people counts using an average group size from an economic impact survey). He cautioned that some early counts (for example, Eagle Park) appear anomalous and that a public interactive dashboard would require higher-cost software licensing.
Kelly (events and communications) reported roughly $17,500 in symposium sponsorships, about 190 tickets sold for symposium events and roughly 29 presenters. She previewed plans to add regular events next year (dog-focused HAB awareness, a 5K tied to a historical anniversary, and expanded school outreach and classroom visits) and said the Monster Ball fundraiser will be repeated with timing adjusted.
Addie (conservation and restoration) reported a major restoration installation in October in which staff, Utah Conservation Corps crews and 70 BYU volunteers planted 21,180 plants of 18 species across three sites. Addie said total plantings since 2023 now exceed 90,000 and that the Authority is applying for Great Salt Lake watershed funding to expand invasive phragmites treatment and tributary work across the watershed.
Sam and Heather (volunteer program) also summarized volunteer metrics: about 1,200 volunteer cleanups in 2025 totaling approximately 1,700 volunteer hours, and an inventory of 230 life jackets for loaner stations. The board discussed liability and inspection protocols; Sam said the program uses a 'use at your own risk' approach, regularly inspects life jackets with trained volunteers, and that the Authority maintains insurance for programs and events.
Staff described next steps including finalizing signage design by March, cleaning EcoCounter data over winter, pursuing grant opportunities for trail feasibility and boating access, and coordinating with partners for restoration and watershed grant applications.
