Environmental group Utah Valley Earth Forum submits no-build proposal for Utah Lake bridge

PROVO — An environmental group has a plan for Utah Lake, and it doesn't include a bridge.

The Utah Valley Earth Forum recently submitted to state officials a no-build option to counter a developer's proposal to construct a bridge across Utah Lake.

Jim Westwater, chairman of the environmental group, submitted the proposal to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands prior to the March 31 deadline.

"Our mission is to help promote good stewardship for a healthy environment," Westwater said. "(The proposed bridge over Utah Lake) is a very pronounced example of poor stewardship that will harm the environment, in our view."

Although Westwater said some might see the group's proposal as a plan to do nothing, he emphasized that is not the case.

"The point is not to do nothing," he said. "The point is to preserve and protect the lake in its natural state without a bridge for the enjoyment and benefit of all future generations."

The Utah Valley Earth Forum proposal counters a plan submitted by Utah Crossing Inc. that calls for a toll bridge to be built across Utah Lake to provide additional access to the west side of the lake.

Dave Grierson, sovereign lands coordinator for the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, has orchestrated the proposal process. Grierson said the process to determine which proposal will be selected will begin immediately.

"We have some criteria according to our rules that we have to look over these specifically with," he said.

Such criteria include desirability of use, performance capability of the proponent, financial stability of the proponent, what it will do with associated or adjacent sovereign lands, and a timetable for the development of the project.

"We also look at the environmental and cultural impacts that will develop as a result," Grierson said. "We also look at the desirability of the project."

Grierson said he hopes a decision will be made within the next two weeks, but the division also wants to be sure to get the public's opinion.

"We have never done anything this big before," he said.

So far, Grierson said, he has received many form letters from the vocal majority or the vocal minority, saying it's hard to tell which is which.

Although Westwater said his plan would bring zero funds to the state, it will not cost the state anything. He said he and many others feel very strongly that the bridge not be constructed for numerous reasons.