Commission lays out plan to revitalize Utah Lake

Commission lays out plan to revitalize Utah Lake

By Jens Dana
Deseret News
Published: December 4, 2008
LEHI — Utah Lake could one day be restored to its former grandeur under a draft master plan that was unveiled for public consideration Wednesday night.
And, for the most part, dozens of community members said they were on board with Utah Lake Commission's priorities, which include eradicating invasive species, such as carp, promoting the proliferation of June sucker populations and constructing a continuous trail system around Utah Lake.

"It's really exciting," Saratoga Springs resident Marlene Mauer said. "I'd like it to be cleaned up."

"Yeah, cleaned up so it's water again," added American Fork resident Darrell Gibson.

The Utah Lake Commission, made up of 14 municipalities, three state agencies, Utah County and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. presented the draft master plan at Willowcreek Middle School in Lehi on Thursday evening. Executive director Reed Price said the commission aims to protect Utah Lake's ecological systems while preserving and enhancing it's value as a recreational amenity.

"It's a great natural resource for the state of Utah," Reed said. "And ... it could could become an economic engine if managed properly."

The draft master plan focuses on five long-term approaches to restore, revitalize and preserve Utah Lake: recreation, transportation, land use and shoreline protection, natural resources and public facilities. The plan specifies it will support efforts to reduce carp populations and phragmites and the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program.

Marc Heileson, southwest regional representative for the Sierra Club, said he's impressed to see so many government agencies taking a holistic approach to weighing the future of Utah Lake. But he said he's concerned the draft master plan doesn't have "teeth to it," especially if developers want to build a causeway over the lake — something the plan does not address.

"What we're afraid of is the absence of regulatory powers," Heileson said.

Reed said the commission holds no authority to approve or deny any projects, but he said the key agency and municipality members of the commission are concerned with Utah Lake's future.

"All the agencies and municipals want what's best for the lake and the community as a whole," he said. "And that's the purpose of this master plan."

The master plan is still in draft form and could be subject to changes. Utah Lake Commission will host another open house Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center in Provo. Two technical committee meetings are scheduled for Dec. 15 and Jan. 12. In the meantime, Reed said community members are encouraged to give their input on the draft master plan.

More information about the draft master plan for Utah Lake is available at utahlakecommission.org.