UIPA’s Executive Director, Ben Hart, speaks at a press event announcing additional investments to support Great Salt Lake shoreline preservation and wetland conservation.
Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenhall speaks during a July 15 press event at the Great Salt Lake.
Utah Port marks advances for responsible industrial growth, pairing economic development with Great Salt Lake conservation and water-wise planning.
Industrial growth creates economic opportunity, but it also creates real impacts. Our responsibility is to help communities plan for those impacts, reduce them where possible.”— Ben Hart, Executive Director of the Utah Inland Port Authority
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, UNITED STATES, July 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — On Wednesday, the Utah Inland Port Authority revealed a fresh $2.5 million commitment aimed at safeguarding Great Salt Lake shorelines and conserving wetlands. This brings UIPA’s total conservation spending to $5 million for the current year and $7.5 million overall.
This move represents the latest phase in UIPA’s ongoing, broader initiative to foster responsible expansion through direct investment in natural resource preservation, bolstering regional collaborations, and instituting novel water-conscious development approaches for future industrial activity.
UIPA will supply the conservation funds while collaborating with the Utah Department of Natural Resources to spearhead the preservation tasks, which include assessing prospects, discussing possible land or conservation deals, and pinpointing where the money can achieve the greatest lasting effect.
“Utah’s economy and Utah’s natural resources have to be planned for together,” said Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority. “This investment reflects the kind of responsible growth UIPA is committed to, growth that supports jobs, infrastructure and opportunity while also protecting the Great Salt Lake, conserving water and addressing impacts in the communities we serve.”
Alongside this announcement, UIPA also initiated a new alliance with Utah Water Ways and unveiled its draft Natural Resources Policy. This framework is designed to steer upcoming development by emphasizing water-efficient methods.
UIPA is additionally coordinating with organizations such as Utah Clean Energy and the Dark Sky Utah Chapter to refine its strategy for responsible development, covering natural resource preservation, water conservation, energy efficiency, and dark sky considerations.
“This is exactly the type of partnership Utah needs as we plan for the future,” said Tage Flint, executive director of Utah Water Ways. “Water conservation cannot be an afterthought. By building water-wise practices into the front end of economic development, UIPA is helping set a stronger standard for how growth can happen responsibly in our state.”
This funding builds upon UIPA’s earlier Wetlands Policy, EPA Clean Ports planning efforts, and ongoing pledges tied to the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City’s west side, and the Northwest Quadrant. UIPA officials stated that the new financial commitment and policy structure signify a transition from piecemeal project mitigation toward a more proactive and uniform method of responsible development.
“Salt Lake City’s relationship with the Great Salt Lake is personal,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “ The lake shapes our air, our water, our wildlife, our economy, and the daily lives of people across this region—especially in our westside communities. Protecting its shorelines and wetlands is one of the most important ways we protect the health, resilience, and future of the people who call this place home.”
The Great Salt Lake and its adjacent wetlands deliver essential wildlife habitat, bolster Utah’s economy, and hold a significant role in the state’s environmental well-being. Ongoing shoreline and wetland preservation initiatives are viewed as a vital element in securing the lake’s long-term future.
“Protecting the Great Salt Lake requires sustained investment and coordination,” said Joel Ferry, commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. “This funding gives us another tool to preserve high-value shoreline and wetland areas while working with partners who understand the importance of both conservation and responsible planning.”
Salt Lake County also participated in the announcement, underscoring the value of regional cooperation concerning the Great Salt Lake, west side neighborhoods, and extended natural resource planning.
“Salt Lake County is committed to protecting the Great Salt Lake and the communities connected to it,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “This investment shows what can happen when state, local and regional partners work together around shared priorities.”
UIPA representatives indicated that the framework will assist in directing future project area planning and business recruitment by motivating companies and communities to factor in water usage, natural resource effects, and long-term sustainability at the outset of the development process.
“Industrial growth creates economic opportunity, but it also creates real impacts,” Hart said. “Our responsibility is to help communities plan for those impacts, reduce them where possible and invest in solutions that create long-term value for Utah.”
UIPA is welcoming public input on its draft Natural Resources Policy. The draft policy is available here. Feedback may be submitted here. Please submit feedback by August 10. Public input will help inform the final policy, which is expected to be presented to the UIPA board for consideration on September 3, and ensure implementation reflects community priorities, conservation goals and responsible growth practices.
“Stewardship of our natural resources and working together to solve tough problems is part of who we are as Utahns,” said Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz. “Protecting the Great Salt Lake takes all of us, with local communities, industry partners and state leaders pulling in the same direction. This investment is a great example of what that kind of collaboration can accomplish, and it’s how we’ll preserve this incredible resource for future generations.”
Kaitlin Felsted
Utah Inland Port Authority
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