Plans stir up debate about Great Salt Lake's fate

Genevieve Atwood invites the comparison to a modern-day Cassandra.

Believing she's glimpsed the Great Salt Lake's future, Atwood has been stirred to action. But unlike the mythical Greek prophetess, she cautions that the alarm she's sounding mustn't fall on deaf ears.

Atwood's motivation has been the politically charged application process by Great Salt Lake Minerals to expand operations significantly in both the northwestern and northeastern arms of the lake.

If given its way, GSL Minerals, a subsidiary of Compass Minerals of Overland Park, Kan., intends to add thousands of acres of channels, dikes and solar evaporation ponds to meet growing worldwide demand for its organic sulfate of potash fertilizer.

Atwood believes a proposed expansion of this magnitude is shortsighted given that no one fully knows what the long-range implications are for the lake. "GSL Minerals expansion isn't just hurting the lake, it's hurting the function of good government," Atwood said.

"The lake is a poorly understood resource that is both valuable and vulnerable. But it isn't currently being aggressively managed based on science or sustainability," warns the scientist, educator and politician who now adds soothsayer to her lengthy resume of public service. "To continue on the course we're on would be unfortunate."

From an earth science perspective, the Great Salt Lake is a rough-hewn jewel. It provides some of North America's finest bird habitat as well as playing a big role in northern Utah's microclimate responsible for producing some of the "greatest snow on Earth."

From an economics standpoint, the lake is a cash cow, currently contributing millions annually to the state's coffers in sales tax, fees and royalties associated from mineral extraction and harvesting brine shrimp eggs.

"I have multiple levels of anxiety over management of the lake," explains Atwood, who held division head status as the state geologist for both Govs. Scott Matheson and Norm Bangerter. "I haven't felt the lake is being managed in the public's interest."

Perspectives

It might come down to perspectives. Don Leonard, president of the Utah Artemia Association, representing the interests of Utah's brine shrimp industry, said there has been — and will continue to be — positive ongoing dialogue among various lake interests.

Leonard, whose ties to the Great Salt Lake run deep as a lifelong Davis County resident, said his industry enjoys excellent relations with conservation groups, user groups and governmental overseers of the lake and he sees no reason for that to change.