Trust awards funding for Great Salt Lake wetlands preservation
The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, co-led by the National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Program and The Nature Conservancy, has announced the awardees of its Wetlands Protection and Restoration Funding grants for 2023. Eight projects from local, state, federal and non-governmental entities were awarded a total of $8,525,343 in funding over the next two years to protect and/or restore wetlands and benefit the hydrology of Great Salt Lake.
“Great Salt Lake and its associated wetlands are an essential intertwined ecosystem that supports economic, ecologic, cultural and public health benefits,” the trust said. “The wetlands surrounding Great Salt Lake provide crucial habitat for millions of migratory birds, recreational opportunities and many other public benefits, including protecting water quality. Projects supported through this effort can help build longer-term resiliency for these wetlands, particularly in the face of drought and climate change.”
The trust said applicants and other partners are providing at least $6.5 million in matching contributions.
“On behalf of the trust, we are excited to direct funding to collaborative projects that will conserve and restore wetlands and their important connections to sustaining Great Salt Lake’s water flows and the quality of life for surrounding communities,” said Marcelle Shoop, executive director of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. “We greatly appreciate the guidance from numerous Great Salt Lake experts who invested significant time to aid the Trust Advisory Council in reaching its award decisions.”
Shoop emphasized that no one organization can solve the challenges facing Great Salt Lake alone and that partnerships and collaboration through projects such as these are crucial to achieving forward progress. He said the grants will help protect and enhance the services that wetlands provide — wildlife habitat and food, water filtration and flood control — while also benefiting the hydrology of Great Salt Lake.
“Solving the challenges facing Great Salt Lake requires all of us working together leveraging resources and sharing expertise,” said Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake commissioner. “I’m grateful to the trust for leading this charge to improve the lake’s wetlands to benefit the lake’s hydrology, and the grantees for doing this work that will benefit the lake and its wildlife.”
Awardees and projects include:
- Blackhawk Water Control Structures
State of Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources
Grant Amount: $125,625
Match: $41,875
Total Project Amount: $167,500 - State Canal Dam-Burnham Dam: Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Ducks Unlimited
Grant Amount: $1,153,637
Match: $297,184
Total Project Amount: $1,450,821 - South Shore of Great Salt Lake-Wetlands and Habitat Preservation and Restoration
Salt Lake City, Department of Public Utilities
Grant Amount: $2,226,195
Match: at least $4,456,000
Total Project Amount: $6,682,195 - Burton Dam and Sewage Canal
Ducks Unlimited
Grant Amount: $683,112
Match: $176,373
Total Project Amount: $859,484 - West Layton Marsh Restoration
The Nature Conservancy
Grant Amount: $789,443
Match: $363,954
Total Project Amount: $1,153,397 - Bypass Canal: Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Ducks Unlimited
Grant Amount: $785,742
Match: $420,050
Total Project Amount: $1,205,792 - Monitoring Flows from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to Great Salt Lake
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Grant Amount:$385,532
Match: $186,666
Total Project Amount: $572,199 - South Run and Unit 2 Restoration: Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Ducks Unlimited
Grant Amount: $2,376,057
Match: $597,673
Total Project Amount: $2,973,730
These projects were selected after a thorough process of eligibility review and scoring by a technical review committee made up of Great Salt Lake ecosystem experts. Final award decisions were made by non-applicant members of the Trust Advisory Council.