SALT LAKE CITY—U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) convened a group of experts—including state elected officials, water experts, researchers, conservation leaders, and members of Utah’s technology sector—for a roundtable discussion on bold, long-term solutions to strengthen Utah’s water supply and protect the Great Salt Lake.
“A rich part of Utah’s heritage is our ingenuity and determination to solve societal challenges, particularly when it comes to water, and protecting the Great Salt Lake is no exception,” said Senator Curtis following the event. “This roundtable was focused on putting every idea on the table, bringing the right people together, and thinking boldly about what’s possible. There won’t be one silver bullet, but I’m confident that Utah can lead the way, and I’ll keep working to ensure the federal government is a strong partner in getting it done.”
Photos from the event are available here.
The discussion focused on both immediate and long-term strategies to strengthen Utah’s water supply and protect the Great Salt Lake. Participants explored ideas ranging from desalination and interstate water infrastructure to expanded cloud seeding and improved forest management. The group also discussed reducing water loss from evaporation and mineral production, and engaging Utah’s technology sector to develop new solutions. Throughout the conversation, participants emphasized that no single approach will solve the challenge and that progress will require a combination of innovation, conservation, infrastructure, and continued federal, state, private, and philanthropic partnership.
The roundtable group included Hannah Freeze, Great Salt Lake Commissioner; Clint Betts, CEO and Co-Founder of Silicon Slopes; Dr. Kevin Perry, Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah; Dr. Ben Abbott, Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Ecology at Brigham Young University and Executive Director of Grow the Flow; Scott Sandall, State Senator; Jill Koford, Utah Representative; Tim Hawkes, Great Salt Lake Advisory Council Chairman; Dr. Brian Steed, Vice President for Government and External Relations at Utah State University; Marcelle Shoop, Executive Director of the Saline Lakes Program for the National Audubon Society; Megan Nelson, Director of Policy and External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy in Utah; Jordan Nielson, Executive Director of Great Salt Lake Rising; Gene Shawcroft, Chair of the Colorado River Authority and General Manager at Central Utah Water Conservancy District; Joel Ferry, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and Ben Stireman, Deputy Director of DNR.
Curtis plans to convene similar discussions and continue soliciting ideas from state, federal, private-sector, and community partners on both immediate and long-term approaches to Utah’s water future.