Would Advisory Council for Great Salt Lake be Enough?

03.01.2010 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Members of the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council convened by former Governor Jon Huntsman say Representative Ben Ferry’s bill to create a permanent council for the lake is a good first step. But they believe it falls short of their recommendation to create a commission with taxing authority to fund scientific research there. Ferry told the House Natural Resources Committee this morning that this would amount to taxation without representation.

“During the summer, there are those who have interest and desire to have full blown commission, with taxing authority, with the authority to appropriate money, which is a little bit farther than where the Legislature likes to have money spent and taxes raised,” he said.

Ferry said his bill strikes a balance between “far-left environmental interests and far-right multiple use” advocates. The council would have 11 members, with two representing industry, one for sportsmen and one conservationist. The rest would be elected officials from city or county government. Scientists who research the lake aren’t represented, but could serve on a technical team that would advise the council.

Leland Myers, acting chairman of former Governor Huntsman’s council, says if Ferry’s bill produces more research, it will benefit the lake and all its users. But does he support it?

“We support getting something done,” he told KCPW.  “The concept is good. We’re not all the way there with the concept that Great Salt Lake Advisory Council proposed.”

The bill passed out of committee this morning with unanimous support, and now moves to the House floor.