A revised proposal from GSLM requests leasing 37,083 additional acres below the meander line on the west side of the Great Salt Lake near Dolphin Island. GSLM has also submitted a separate proposal to extend and deepen an existing inlet canal in Gunnsion Bay. 

Expansion Proposal

In June 2008, Great Salt Lake Minerals (GSLM) filed a mineral lease nomination for 52,200 acres in Gunnison Bay as part of their plans to expand production for their potash operations.  IIn November 2008, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (DFFSL), Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and GSLM agreed a non-competitive exchange of undeveloped lease acreage in Bear River Bay and acreage adjacent to Promontory Point for acres in Gunnison Bay. 

GSLM now seeks to lease over 37,000 acres of additional soverign lands in order to construct giant evaporation ponds on the mudflats and in shallow waters of Great Salt Lake, thereby converting huge areas of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem currently available for wildlife and recreation into an industrialized mining operation. The proposal involves the construction of dikes, feed channels and pump stations, similar in nature but larger in scope, to the existing improvements on the adjacent lease. FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake and partnering conservation and community groups oppose this request by GSLM to expand their mining operations in Great Salt Lake. More detailed information about the proposed expansion is included in the documents described below.  

To read the full RDCC expansion proposal, click here:  GSLM Proposal 130.68 Kb

To view a map of the area involved in the expansion proposal, click here: Map 1.65 Mb

To read comments on the proposal from EPA Region 8, click here : EPA Comments 266.12 Kb

To read comments submitted to RDCC on behalf of FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake and other conservation and community groups, click here:  Expansion Comments 373.38 Kb; supporting documents include:
1. Executive Order Creating the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council:  Order 65.50 Kb
2. GSL Advisory Council Meeting, December 2008:  Meeting 99.00 Kb 
3. Letter from R. Jefre Hicks, Utah Airboat Association:  UAA 56.82 Kb
4. Letter from John D. Ray, Utah Waterfowl Association: UWA 44.41 Kb
5. Letter from Don Paul, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources:  Paul  93.37 Kb
6. Letter from Dr. Steven R. Simms, Utah State University:  Simms 52.34 Kb

For more background information, try the following links:

A line in the salt, by Charles Trentlemen:  Trentlemen 197.26 Kb
Great Salt Lake land swap would aid state, officials say, by Stephen Speckman :  Speckman 82.41 Kb

Several other articles about the proposed expansion, including a basic fact sheet, are also available under the Current Issues page of our website. 

Canal Extension Proposal

In addition to the proposed expanison, GSLM has also submitted a separate application to the Army Corps of Engineers for permission to extend and deepen and existing inlet canal in Gunnison Bay in order to bring potassium of sulfate and brine to the western complex of evaporation ponds when lake levels are low. This proposal must go through the RDCC process. Public comment was accepted through April 9, 2009.

Existing GSLM Inlet Canal in Gunnison Bay

Photographs by Lynn De Freitas

Click here for the full proposal:  canal proposal 1.17 Mb

Click here for comments on the inlet canal extension by FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake and other conservation and community groups:  Final Canal Comments 292.30 Kb

Click here for a copy of the permit decision from the Army Corps of Engineers regardig this proposal to relocate, extend, and deepen the canal:  Canal extension 376.79 Kb

Click here for a copy of a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers from EPA Region 8 in response to this proposal:  EPA Canal Letter 924.70 Kb

Send comments to:

Members of the Resource Development
Coordinating Committee
5110 State Office Building
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
fax: 801.537.9226


You can also call 801.538.5495 for more information