Jason Gipson

Nevada-Utah Regulatory Branch

533 W. 2600 South

Suite 150

Bountiful, UT 84010

RE: Public Notice SPK­2007­00121 / Great Salt Lake Minerals Corp.

 

Dear Mr. Gipson,


I am writing to adamantly oppose Great Salt Lake Minerals’ application to expand its evaporation ponds and increase its water right in the North Arm of Great Salt Lake in Utah.

This project, involving even more ponds, trenches, pumps, trucks, would be a major step forward in the industrialization of Great Salt Lake, and one that many of us fear would have a huge impact on changing the ecology of the lake as we know it. And in doing so would not only jeopardize the important habitat Great Salt Lake provides for resident and migratory birds and wildlife that use the system, but would impact other lake uses and the ability of users to enjoy the solace of open space that the lake provides for us all.

GSL Minerals has also applied for a water right of 350,000 acre feet of water from the lake in Gunnison Bay. When added to an already approved water right of 150,000 acre feet of inflows and open water in Bear River Bay. 500,000 acre feet of water have the potential to influence the average levels over the entire lake - particularly during low water years. According to a model from the Division of Water Resources, for every 100,000 acre feet of water that the lake does not receive, the level of the lake could drop about 8 to 12 inches. This translates into a significant impact on the overall ecology, and particularly the biota in Gunnison Bay that creates that wonderful magenta colored water. If production increases, a significant amount of open water in Gunnison and Bear River Bays could also become permanently petrified by a huge complex of evaporation ponds and dikes.

This would also rob a major work of art from its serendipitous appearance and disappearance contingent upon lake levels. The North Arm is home to Robert Smithson's iconic Spiral Jetty (1970), one of the most widely recognized and cherished American sculptures of the late twentieth century and perhaps the most iconic example of Land Art in the world. Smithson's sculpture is made of basalt rocks and earth taken from the site and formed into a massive 1500-foot-long coil that spirals into the Great Salt Lake. The expansive natural setting and red brine are integral to the artwork, providing an essential frame for experiencing Smithson’s project. The lake level, the fragile balance of earth, salt lake, and local flora and fauna, symbolized in the form and structure of the sculpture, must be maintained to preserve the experience of the Spiral Jetty in this unique landscape.

I strenuously object to the proposed expansion project which will disrupt the area’s isolated character as well as degrade the natural environment of the lake. I urge the State to seriously consider the detrimental effects that this project will have on wildlife, other lake uses, Robert Smithson’s internationally acclaimed artwork, and to deny this and any future filings in the North Arm of Great Salt Lake that similarly constitute a threat to the surrounding environment. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

 

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