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Show PART I: PROBLEM DEFINITION CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The proper management of the resources of Great Salt Lake and its surrounding drainage area so as to achieve maximum public benefit is a matter of increasing public concern as the value of these resources becomes more fully appreciated and their future uses are contemplated. There are, for example, numerous possibilities for utilizing the fresh waters of the tributaries. Chemical industries, recreation, wildlife refuges, and many other uses compete for water in and near the lake itself. A myriad of potential uses at water deficient locations elsewhere within the basin also need to be considered. The manner in which the available water supplies eventually are allocated and used will have a long- term impact on the economic and social development of the entire State of Utah. Thus, the question of how the resources of Great Salt Lake can be utilized to best suit the needs of the citizens of Utah is a real one, and the answer will require a well- integrated and cooperative approach by all groups and agencies concerned with the water resources of the entire lake system. Governmental concern for the future management of the resources of Great Salt Lake was expressed by Governor Calvin Rampton in a presentation to the First Annual Meeting of the Utah Section of the American Water Resources Association in Salt Lake City on November 30,1972. This same concern is reflected by ajoint resolution which was passed recently by the 40th State Legislature regarding the authorization of a long- range and comprehensive plan for the management and development of Great Salt Lake. Some of the specific problems concerning the management of Great Salt Lake as viewed by State Legislators are contained in the Preamble to the Resolution cited above. In order to emphasize the justification for the study reported herein, this Preamble is quoted as follows: WHEREAS, the Great Salt Lake is a unique physical feature and is one of Utah's greatest potential industrial and recreational assets; and, WHEREAS, this ' natural wonder' attracts visitors from throughout the world, many of whom leave in disappointment over the lack of facilities and accommodations at the lake; and, WHEREAS, several hundred studies, generally single- purpose reports, have been prepared over the years relating to Great Salt Lake; and, WHEREAS, no comprehensive, long- range plan of the lake, using these many studies, has ever been made to determine goals and policies for Great Salt Lake development; and, WHEREAS, a comprehensive, long- range plan should be formulated to insure that all developmental potentials, including but not limited to facilities which provide for transportation, recreation, and industry, are placed in their proper perspective as being harmonious with each other; and, WHEREAS, a comprehensive plan would insure that environmental and ecological controls be considered and that the development process would be done on an orderly basis; and, WHEREAS, long- range development of the lake should be a joint venture between federal, state, county, and private sectors supplementing the present work of Wasatch Front Regional Council and Box Elder County in preparing a preliminary general plan of the multi- county area adjacent to the lake. Recognizing the need for establishing an integrated approach to the development of a management strategy for Great Salt Lake, the Economics Committee of the State Legislature, under die chairmanship of Mr. E. LaMar Buckner, in 1973 established an interagency technical team of 38 state, federal, and local agencies. The mandate of this team is to identify all relevant past and ongoing research activities, and to summarize all existing data and findings into a single document. In addition, a Great Salt Lake policy advisory committee was appointed by the Legislative Committee. These two bodies ultimately will be responsible for recommending to the Legislature broad and specific goals, objectives, and policies to be followed in the management and development of Great Salt Lake in both short and long- term planning concepts ( see Appendix A). 1 |