Assessment of Potential Costs of Declining Water Levels in Great Salt Lake.pdf
This November 2019 report was prepared by ECONorthwest and Martin & Nicholson Environmental Consultants for the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, with substantial assistance received from local experts including FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake's Executive Director Lynn de Freitas.
From the Executive Summary:
"Policy solutions and investments in water for Great Salt Lake now can prevent future costs to the region. The magnitude of potential consequences, $25.4 billion to $32.6 billion over twenty years, suggests that major interventions are likely warranted. The science review and economic analyses in this study indicate that reduced lake levels at Great Salt Lake are already imposing adverse conditions and economic costs on the regional community and economy. The continued trajectory of declining lake levels will likely only increase the magnitude and expand the categories of costs imposed on Utahns."