Plus, we asked experts what they think of the seven most important bills relating to the Great Salt Lake this legislative session.
Good morning. Salt Lake City will have a high of 36° and a low of 19°. Remember that day we had 70° weather? Now I'm seeing a single-digit temperature in the forecast for the week. Yikes. "This storm will be sticking around well into the week and when it isn't snowing it will be cold, which means icy conditions," UHP tweeted. "Plan ahead and get there safely." Also on our mind today: Why inspection lines at Lake Powell might be longer this year, the latest on the war in Ukraine and, on a lighter note, a new hotline where you can get a pep talk from kindergartners. |
| The Great Salt Lake is on life support. Can it be revived? |
|
| | Those intimately acquainted with the Great Salt Lake have watched with dread over the last two decades as it has steadily dwindled to a trickle of its former self. Great Salt Lake Coordinator Laura Vernon compared the Great Salt Lake to a knotted-up ball of yarn, "where you think you have found the end and you pull one string and you make it tighter somewhere else.” Why it matters: A report commissioned by the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council said low lake levels could result in losses totaling $1.69 billion to $2.17 billion per year and job losses of more than 6,500 positions. Dust from the dried-up lakebed poses risks to the human and ecological health. Lower water levels threaten wild animal populations on Great Salt Lake islands by making it easier for predators to reach the islands. Low water levels make the lake practically unnavigable, harming Utah's recreation industry and making it harder to enjoy the lake. |
Read more about the problems facing the Great Salt Lake. |
| We asked scientists, academics and nonprofits what they think of the seven most important bills relating to the Great Salt Lake this legislative session. HB121 sets aside $5 million to cover up to half of landscaping costs for homeowners to xeriscape their lawn or replace it with drought-resistant plants. The bill also requires state facilities to reduce their outdoor water use by 25% by 2026. The original bill would have prevented cities from requiring grass, but lawmakers removed that language in an amendment. Zach Frankel, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council, said the amended bill is weaker than the original and that it was the 6th or 7th time a lawmaker has tried and failed to stop Utah cities from requiring grass. Read what experts said about the other six bills. More in Politics Mike Lee promotes marriage classes. Does premarital counseling help? (Deseret News) Opinion: How did Utah lawmakers do this year? (Deseret News) Perspective: Drug policies should reflect addiction’s harm to children (Deseret News) | Faith Sister Donna Smith Packer, wife of the late President Boyd K. Packer, dies at age 94 (Church News) How the Church, its leaders and members in Europe are providing aid and relief in the humanitarian crisis caused by armed conflict (Church News) Why these Utahns stick with church — even as more people than ever leave religion (The Salt Lake Tribune 🔒) Business Utahns are investing in NFT the Movie (and yes, that’s a real thing) (Utah Business) Police Investigators seeking public’s help in solving 1998 killing of Cedar City woman (St. George News) Recreation Why inspection lines might be a bit longer at Lake Powell this year (KSL.com) Arts Founding father of modern art and sculpture has found a home in Southern Utah (St. George News) The Nation Tornado slams central Iowa, killing at least six (Reuters) U.S. gasoline prices soar to highest since 2008 on Russia conflict -AAA (Reuters) The World Russian assault halts evacuation plan in Ukraine again, officials said (Deseret News) Their generation ousted South Korea's military regime. Now they have to win over Gen Z (NPR) Trending Press 3 for a pep talk from kindergartners. A new hotline gives you options for joy (NPR) | That's all for today! If you have any feedback for us on Utah Today, please let us know by replying to this email or emailing [email protected]. — Ashley |
| Copyright © 2022 Deseret News, All rights reserved. |