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Show between the north and south arms of the lake to sustain and protect GSL ecosystems. One respondent supported alternative C. Alternatives A and B had many comments and were equally supported. Over 75 percent of the respondents provided comments regarding some aspect of salinity. Some comment letters focused entirely on this issue. The railroad causeway is not permeable. Taxpayers in Utah should get an explanation about what went wrong and why the original contract cannot be enforced. Will deepening the breach and cleaning the culverts solve the salinity problem? Salinity should be better defined. Have we been such poor stewards that we have killed part of the lake ( the north arm)? Create new causeways, channels, pumping devises or dikes to alleviate or control the salinity difference between the north and south arms of the lake. There are many ideas that may have a positive effect on the expressed goal of alternative A to increase flow exchange between the north and south arms and to lower salinity differences. The planning project should make a powerful stand to restore free circulation between the north and south arms of the lake in protecting ecosystem health. Include prompt and meaningful action to address the salinity crisis, navigation and protecting the ecosystem. Deepening the breach would not help circulate brines because this is a very shallow area. Return salts in the West Desert to the south arm of the lake to increase salinity. If the pumps are to be utilized again during an emergency situation, a full return cycle should be ensured. A salinity management regime should be designed to minimize the disparity in salinity levels. This will ensure parity between the mineral lessees on the north and south arms and also maximize biological productivity. Which agencies made the analyses to demonstrate the immediate need for a major breaching, on what basis or justification they came to these conclusions ( help to salt or the brine shrimp industries, lake ecology, or what else?), and who should be responsible for breaching the causeway and its associated costs? The state wants to know what, if anything, should be changed for the good of the lake as a healthy ecosystem. What is meant by a healthy ecosystem? Does this mean that the entire lake must be the same, or is there some merit to having differing salinity in the south and north arms? Does parity between the mineral lessees on the north and south arms play a viable role in a healthy lake ecosystem? 283 |