OCR Text |
Show " unhealthy" ecosystem is one that has been impacted to such an extent by human activity that it is no longer within natural variability. Some ecosystems, probably including the ecosystems of GSL, are naturally variable and may depend on this variation to redistribute nutrients and support diverse communities. A tough question facing DNR is whether the ecosystems of GSL are " healthy". In order to answer this, we need know the natural variability of the GSL ecosystems, and to answer that we need long- term data ( several 10s- 100s of years). For certain important variables, for example nutrients, we have virtually no data from which to determine natural variability or trends. Understanding the impacts of changes in nutrients and salinity on GSL biota are essential for determining the functioning of GSL ecosystems. Based on the data available to us, we know that at sometime in the past GSL has probably been as saline as Gunnison Bay and as fresh as Gilbert Bay are today. Construction of the railroad causeway created a very different set of GSL systems than those that existed prior to 1959. Also, the WDPP significantly reduced the salt load in the main body of GSL. Were the WDPP re- instituted and more salts deposited from the lake to the West Desert Pond, the salt problems might be exacerbated to such an extent that the lake would reach a crisis state. The DNR should expand monitoring presently underway to include all key components of the GSL ecosystem and to be spatially and temporally comprehensive. Such a monitoring program should identify trends that indicate when the lake is on a dangerous trajectory and act as an early warning system of " unhealthy" lake conditions. 6- Respect the lake and appreciate its diverse resources and ever changing boundaries. We suggest that the GSL is a phenomenal asset to the State of Utah. Its mineral resources have been appreciated for almost 150 years. The brine shrimp are now appreciated because they are economically valuable. To only a very limited extent is the lake appreciated for tourism, for culture, for earth systems history, and for education. We fear that the present constituencies drive the DNR approach to management and that these policies may eventually diminish the net social value of the lake to the citizens of the State of Utah. Thank you for this opportunity to share our perspectives with you. Respectfully, GSL Science Review Committee Genevieve Atwood John A. Kadlec Paul W. Jewell Mac McKee Katrina A. Moser 232 |