Bill Overview
Title: Great Salt Lake Recovery Act
Description: This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the hydrology of saline lake ecosystems in the Great Basin, including the Great Salt Lake, Utah, as well as to investigate the feasibility of a project for ecosystem restoration and drought solutions in the Great Salt Lake.
Sponsors: Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in the proximate area of the Great Salt Lake and dependent on its ecosystem
Estimated Size: 1500000
- This bill focuses on the Great Salt Lake, which is located in Utah.
- The lake significantly impacts the local environment and economy through its influence on the weather, wildlife habitats, and local industries such as mineral extraction and recreation.
- Changes to the lake can impact environmental conditions for the flora and fauna dependent on the lake ecosystem.
- The lake's health affects local populations, including those in nearby urban areas like Salt Lake City, through water resource management and environmental quality.
- Since this bill involves a study, it primarily impacts those directly involved in the study phase, but potential future projects based on this study could have broader impacts.
Reasoning
- The study and potential projects will primarily impact those in Utah, especially those near the Great Salt Lake. This includes populations in nearby cities and people working in industries dependent on the lake's health.
- The direct impact in the first few years might be low since it's mainly a study, but potential future projects could significantly influence wellbeing by addressing ecological and economic issues.
- The budget constraints will limit the scope of immediate actions or benefits, meaning more substantial changes might occur if future funding and projects emerge from the findings of this study.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a crucial first step in understanding the lake's declining health.
- I'm concerned about the budget being too limited.
- Any vital restoration projects would still be years away even after study completion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Recreational Business Owner (Ogden, UT)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoration could revitalize my business, but I'm worried about the time it will take.
- The study is promising but feels too abstract right now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Student (Provo, UT)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see focus on local ecosystems.
- Wish there was more immediate action rather than just a study.
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 | 5 |
Retired (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important for preserving the wildlife I've observed for years.
- I'm skeptical about how much they can do with the budget provided.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Elementary School Teacher (West Valley City, UT)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Educating students about these efforts is vital.
- Long-term benefits could mean more educational material and field trip options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Truck Driver (Tooele, UT)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doesn't directly concern me unless it affects my routes.
- It's good they are looking into the lake's health, I guess.
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 |
Mineral Extraction Specialist (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The stability of my job depends on the lake's status, so this could be positive.
- I wish there was more concrete action attached to the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Waiter (Orem, UT)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that helps the lake is good for recreation lovers.
- I've seen the lake's conditions worsen, hoping this study leads to something substantial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Real Estate Agent (Kaysville, UT)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoring the lake could mean a property value boost.
- The policy feels like the start but lacks immediate benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Local Government Official (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a necessary first step to solve a complex issue.
- I hope for further actionable projects post-study but budget concerns remain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The study is to determine feasibility, not to implement solutions immediately.
- Future costs and impacts will depend on the findings and recommendations of the study.
- Local environmental and economic benefits could develop from evidence-based interventions.