OCR Text |
Show 63 percent of Utah's total waterfowl hunting occurs at GSL, with 80- 85 percent of all waterfowl harvested in Utah coming from the GSL area. The state WMAs and parts of the BRMBR were purchased and are maintained by revenues and taxes from hunting. The state WMAs, BRMBR, sovereign lands and many private lands are open for hunting. The estimated number of waterfowl hunters utilizing GSL and environs in 1996 was 22,700. The estimated number of hunter days on state- managed areas around the lake in 1996 was 53,700 ( Aldrich, 1998). Sightseeing ( auto tours) AISP and the Davis County Causeway combined offer a 42- mile round trip auto tour. BRMBR has a 12- mile auto tour. The Monument Point area and surrounding lands have many miles of remote dirt roads for auto touring. The lack of a public thoroughfare between Lakeside and Hogup Ridge on the lake's western shore precludes circumnavigation of the lake by automobile. The impacts to the existing transportation facilities at GSL are discussed in other sections of this statement, including " Water- Chemistry." Access to and on sovereign lands is discussed in the sections which addresses the uses for which access is provided. Interpretive and Educational Opportunities at Great Salt Lake Interpretive and educational programs have been significantly enhanced in recent years. AISP has developed a visitor center on Lady Finger Point. The Garr Ranch is scheduled to open in 2000. The park has added wayside exhibits, nature trails and educational tours. The Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau is opening a visitor center focusing on GSL. The visitor center will be located at the 7200 west exit on 1- 80. The bureau plans to add an observation deck and nature trails in the ensuing years. BRMBR breaks ground on a new visitor center in 1999. Completion is scheduled for 2002. Farmington Bay WMA is initiating an effort to significantly expand interpretive development and visitor services for their north end. URMCC completed a. Needs Assessment and Conceptual Plan for Interpretive Recreation and Education for the Greater Great Salt Lake Wetlands Ecosystem ( 1995). One of the commission's key objectives of the plan is to: " Create an umbrella concept under which all local projects play a role; the entire scheme should be a nonrepetitive delivery of messages, each site carrying appropriate messages for that site and complementing efforts at other sites, thereby encouraging people to visit another location." To begin implementing this objective, the URMCC, in cooperation with DWR, is developing a " Wetlands Ecosystem Education Plan," which should be completed in the year 2000. A master plan should be completed by June 2000. Layton Wetland Preserve is working on a plan to implement an interpretive program at the preserve. Most of the GSL attractions offer educational tours by reservation or appointment. Friends of Great Salt Lake has a hour long interpretive slide show, called The Lake 140 |