A judge will weigh arguments about the state of Utah's obligation to protect the Great Salt Lake and its responsibility to respect water rights.
The state contends that protecting water as an environmental coalition demands would violate water rights enshrined in the state constitution.
“We are in court today because the state denies its legal obligation to protect the waters of the Great Salt Lake, an iconic resource that the state holds in trust for the people,” said Stu Gillespie, a senior attorney with Earthjustice who represents the coalition, in a statement before appearing in court.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Division of Water Rights and Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands — all named defendants in the case —The defendants also argued that they’re already working to support the drying lake. They pointed to the $500 million that the Legislature has put toward improving the lake and the creation of the Utah Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner.
Jamie Barnes, director of the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, said in an emailed statement that “the Great Salt Lake is an important resource.”
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