Utah Lake Restoration Project Welcomes Constructive Criticism | Opinion

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The Utah Lake Restoration Project is designed to provide a comprehensive plan for the restoration and enhancement of Utah Lake.

As the nation’s second driest and fastest growing state, Utah is now in a two-decade mega-drought and could desperately use the 30 billion gallons of additional annual water supply the project would provide. . This is just one of the many benefits of dredging and deepening the lake.

Lake Restoration Solutions worked for years to assemble the plan, the expert team of scientists, researchers and engineers, and the funding to achieve what many thought was impossible.

As media reported, Lake Restoration Solutions filed a defamation suit against a person who made false statements, including that the project team does not include a Ph.D. scientists and that it is funded by shady foreign money. These false claims are simply not true.

In recent days, irresponsible views have been expressed in this newspaper and elsewhere accusing LRS of filing a so-called SLAPP lawsuit – strategic lawsuit against public participation. Again, this is simply not true, as the court process will prove. Lake Restoration Solutions welcomes careful and scientific review of the project, but spreading misinformation just to harm the process is out of reach.

The US Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, is about to undertake a thorough and transparent public review of the project. This review requires that the best science be applied and that data and public opinion be considered from all angles. We welcome this process and are confident in the professional work of our team of world-class experts. In the end, what everyone wants and deserves is a clean, healthy Utah lake, not plagued by toxic algae blooms.

We invite new ideas and constructive criticism, and have spent years meeting with interested parties and government officials to proactively seek this type of input. Criticism often leads to improved plans, and we’ve already made significant changes based on insightful feedback. We believe that this type of collaboration yields the best results.

We hope that the misinformation of a few with their own agendas does not obscure the many benefits the Utah Lake Restoration Project offers everyone: deepening the lake for improved boating and water quality , 30 billion gallons of water saved each year through evapotranspiration, new estuarine islands for migrating birds and fish habitat, recreational islands with public beaches, camping and trails, waterfront properties to public and private use and a cleaner, healthier and more vibrant lake. All of this accomplished without any new taxes.

The truth matters, and the truth will prevail. Restoring and improving Utah Lake is a goal worthy of monumental effort, collaboration, and discussion. Let’s work together to ensure Lake Utah is a resource that can be used and enjoyed by all for generations to come.

Jon Benson is President and Chief Operating Officer of Lake Restoration Solutions.

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