Bill Overview
Title: Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin States Program Act of 2022
Description: This act requires the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin States Assessment and Monitoring Program. Under the program, the USGS must assess, monitor, and conserve saline lake ecosystems in the Great Basin as well as the wildlife that depend on those ecosystems.
Sponsors: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant on the ecosystem and services of saline lakes in the Great Basin
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The Great Basin includes parts of several U.S. states such as Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and California.
- Saline lakes in the Great Basin are habitats for a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds, brine shrimp, and other organisms.
- The act primarily affects ecosystems, but humans are indirectly affected, particularly those who are part of industries or communities that rely on these lakes for resources or recreation.
- Wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and local communities would be directly interested in the health and conservation of saline lakes.
Reasoning
- The target population mostly lives within the Great Basin region, across several states.
- The policy benefits those dependent on the ecosystem, including through ecological health and tourism.
- Impacts on wellbeing scores are highest for communities directly reliant on the saline lakes.
- Budget limitations mean impacts may not be immediately visible in financial terms but ecological health may improve over time.
- Not everyone in the target regions will perceive a direct impact since many are not directly dependent on the saline lakes.
Simulated Interviews
Biologist (Reno, NV)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've observed firsthand the decline in saline lake health. This policy could direct necessary resources toward recovery.
- The monitoring will greatly aid in understanding seasonal changes and trends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Wildlife Photographer (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act is a vital step to protecting the unique wildlife that I work so closely with.
- Increased conservation efforts will help preserve these landscapes for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Tourism Operator (Bend, OR)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tourism around natural sites has been challenging recently due to environmental degradation.
- This program could rejuvenate interest in eco-tourism, potentially increasing business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Parks Manager (Boise, ID)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing increased resources for monitoring and management is a relief.
- The act will facilitate better conservation measures and public awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Environmental Policy Analyst (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is a testament to the growing recognition of saline lake importance in policy discussions.
- Long-term benefits include ecosystem resilience and public health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired School Teacher (Rural Nevada)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this brings back the birds.
- Anything to help the environment here is good news for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Salt Harvesting Business Owner (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For my business, increased regulations can be a double-edged sword.
- While I'm worried about potential restrictions, conservation is essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
City Planner (Reno, NV)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing environmental needs with urban growth is crucial.
- Support for this program means fewer conflicts in development approval processes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Miner (Elko, NV)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our jobs depend deeply on lake health. This policy could secure long-term employment.
- The lake's well-being is tied to community prosperity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Provo, UT)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on assessment and monitoring is crucial for informed policy.
- Pooling resources to focus on these lakes could become a model for other regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Year 3: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Year 5: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Potential for increased biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
- Mitigation of negative environmental trends such as habitat loss.
- Possibility of public support or opposition based on regional ecological priorities.