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Commissioner's office says state requested $1 billion in federal funds; priorities include agricultural leasing, habitat work and engineered options
Summary
Hannah from the commissioner’s office told the council the state requested $1 billion in federal funding to support Great Salt Lake priorities including agricultural water leasing, invasive-species removal and engineered water transfers; she cautioned the request is not guaranteed and would involve federal partners such as the Bureau of Reclamation.
Hannah, a deputy in the commissioner’s office, told the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council that the state has formally requested $1 billion in federal funding to support projects aimed at improving lake conditions. She asked the council to view the request as a set of priorities rather than an approved package, saying the state "did request $1 billion" but that "we're not counting on this money. It's not guaranteed."
The commissioner’s office outlined several priority uses should federal funds become available: agricultural water leasing to move water to the lake; ecosystem and habitat restoration, including removal of invasive phragmites; municipal conservation measures such as homeowner turf removal and municipal leasing opportunities; completion of a long‑running settlement for the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (described as roughly 22,000 acres that would transfer to federal ownership); engineered options to move water from the Newfield basin back to Great Salt Lake; and habitat management for migratory and potentially endangered species.
Council members asked whether federal agencies would participate directly in administering funds. Hannah said a federal nexus is likely and pointed to precedent: a prior $50 million award that came through the Bureau of Reclamation. "I think that there will be a federal nexus," she said, and suggested partners could include the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, among others.
Hannah and council members repeatedly stressed uncertainty about outcomes and allocations: the $1 billion request was characterized as a statewide ask without a public line‑item breakdown. The commissioner’s office said specific dollar splits—what would go to leasing, habitat restoration, engineering work, or municipal programs—have not been finalized.
The update concluded with an invitation for questions; no formal action was taken on the funding request during the meeting. The council proceeded to other agenda items, including legislative and planning updates.
