LOCAL NEWS

What’s on tap for Great Salt Lake in 2025 Utah General Legislative Session

Jan 14, 2025, 5:58 PM | Updated: Jan 17, 2025, 9:08 am

American avocets search for food on a sand bar at the Great Salt Lake, near Magna on September 24, ...

American avocets search for food on a sand bar at the Great Salt Lake, near Magna on September 24, 2024. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)

(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — Great Salt Lake is once again expected to be a topic of discussion and action for Utah lawmakers in the 2025 Utah General Legislative Session, which starts next week.

Lawmakers have already passed a slew of new laws over the last several years to help the lake and increase water conservation.

Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, said some of this session will just be clean-up work.

“It’s a tweak of a word here or it’s a modification of how we’re doing this or that,” Ferry said. “We’re probably not going to see massive legislation.”

According to Ferry, one bill strengthens the work the state has already done with mineral companies that operate on the lake. Plus, lawmakers could do more with conservation and development in the Great Salt Lake Basin, according to Ferry.

He said a big focus for water managers now is figuring out new ways to not only encourage and incentivize people to conserve more water but actually dedicate and make sure that water reaches the lake.

“2025 is going to be a year of delivering on years of work that’s been done,” Ferry said. “We’re going to start to see…the fruits of all those labors over the last four or five years.”

Today the water levels of Great Salt Lake are still about 5.5 feet below the healthy range.

While Utahns have made considerable strides to save water over the last few years, Ferry said on average people and businesses still need to cut their water use by another 10% to help the lake stabilize and grow gradually over the next decade or so.

“We all are in this together,” Ferry said. “[10% is] totally attainable [and] totally doable.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Weber Fire District crews arriving at the scene of the storage unit fire on Monday morning....

Michael Houck

Weber firefighters narrowly beat passing train to fight storage unit fire

A train almost made firefighters late to a storage unit fire Monday morning.

1 hour ago

Provo fire officials said they are pouring through information sent from bystanders, but that the p...

Karah Brackin

Looking for clues after destructive Provo fire

Provo Fire is working to piece together a puzzle and learn exactly what started a fire that destroyed three buildings.

3 hours ago

Downtown Salt Lake City from the Avenues on Dec. 27, 2024. The Astra Tower, seen here lit in differ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Salt Lake City is about to get another weather beacon. Here’s what this one will forecast

Salt Lake City's buildings will offer more than weather forecasts beginning later this month.

3 hours ago

The Giving Grinch dressed up for Valentine's Day,...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out for the Good: The Giving Grinch spreading Valentine’s Day love

The Giving Grinch, a local non-profit, is looking to spread some love in the community this Valentine's Day.

4 hours ago

A Unified Police Department vehicle sits in a neighborhood in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Friday, Feb....

Michael Houck

SWAT arrests man suspected of robbing a Utah bank and sending threats to another

A man is accused of robbing a bank and stealing a dollar amount to reference the 9/11 attacks last week.

4 hours ago

The Utah State Capitol is pictured in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025....

Allessandra Harris Gurr, KSL NewsRadio

Privilege tax may be added to the Point of the Mountain

A proposed bill may bring a privilege tax to the Point of the Mountain development.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

What’s on tap for Great Salt Lake in 2025 Utah General Legislative Session