Take Action: Write a letter to your state representatives (sample linked below)
Background:
Utah Lake is one of the largest and most productive freshwater lakes in the western U.S. This keystone ecosystem is the centerpiece of our community, providing critical habitat, abundant recreational opportunities, and invaluable ecosystem services such as removing pollution and creating local precipitation. In this time of dramatic change, we need evidence-based management and legislation to protect and restore this unique, beautiful, and dynamic lake.
For more details, you can go to the Utah Lake symposium web site and check the references about the lake’s science and management in the Getting to know Utah Lake article.
Who You Should Write: It’s important to write to as many reps and senators as you can. While several items are local, all reps and senators will be voting on bills so they need to hear from many people. Start with your representatives and then expand to others who cover Utah County districts.
It is easy to find the emails of each House Rep and Senator.
- Find your Utah House Representatives by going to https://house.utah.gov/house-members/ and look for your county. Click on the representative’s name for contact info.
- Find your Utah State Senators by going to https://senate.utah.gov/senate-roster/ and click “View Table” to see county designations. Click on senator’s name for contact info.
What You Include in Your Letter: We created a template to make this as easy as possible. Feel free to make it your own:
Click here for the Utah Lake Sample Letter
Thank you so much for your participation and help! This is a big “ask” but it’s why we formed this group – to have a network of like minded people guiding conversations. This is one of those moments in time we can make a difference!
1. this proposed development (20,000 ACRES OF ISLANDS ON UTAH LAKE) would destroy not only the ecology of Utah Lake, and the climatology of the entire region, but also the quality of life for every human, avian, fauna, and floral resident of Utah County, and environs.
2. how can a natural, public resource be owned and controlled by and benefit a select few, connected, elites (developers, politicians, financial institutions, and others)?
3. if ever widely vetted, and appropriately designed development of this nature is ever suggested, let that proposed development be structured where every citizen is paid a dividend derived from the bounty of the land. similar to the oil resources of Alaska.
4. definitely not to benefit a small group of avaricious, proponents of opulence.
Does anyone else think it is Significant that the Former Governor, who always seems to be looking for a Real Estate Opportunity, has worked as a Real Estate Broker before occupying the Governor’s Position. The idea of Dredging Our Lake & turning the area into a Housing Development is possibly the most Ludicrous Thing that has ever perpetrated on the Law Abiding, Tax Paying Citizens of our area! THIS GREEDY INSANITY HAS TO BE STOPPED! It is hard to imagine that The Good Lord could condone such travesty against Nature.
What a travesty! Obviously, the uneducated state officials want islands in Utah lake and a bridge over it. They seek this because of two goals: First, they want Utah to be more like the bridges and highways from NYC going over into New Jersey. Secondly, they always enjoy LA traffic and want our once-beautiful state to look more like SLC airport parking lots, all paved and shiny. Such “leaders” despise our sacred Wasatch Mountains and southern Utah’s red rock country. Canyons exist for wealthy businesses to exploit. Forget about God’s creations and the majesty of his works. Environmental stewardship? They’ve never heard of it. Sustainability? Must be from the devil, AKA, their Korihor hero, DJT, the “chosen one.” Having closely observed the greed of many Utah legislators for 50 years, their goals are always clear: 1) Selfishness should reign. 2) Pollution is God’s will. 3) Climate change doesn’t exist. 4) Guns in every home will fulfill the 2nd amendment, even as their dangerous pro-gun laws continue killing us and our children. 5) The COVID-19 slaughter of Utahns is simply nature in control and taking a stand. Many, many more items make up the Utah “Bible of Insanity” for most legislators. If we continue on the GOP path of reckless ignorance in legislative policy, there’s only one eventual solution. The world’s end.
When it comes to influencing legislation, the first goal is to influence committees. Are any of the relevant bills in committee still? Also, attending committee hearings and emailing committee members is a good approach.
Just took me about half an hour to send my letter to each of the representatives from Utah County via email. I received one response in about 5 minutes. Thanks for providing a link to get their email addresses. Here is a list:
Kevin Stratton
Brady Brammer
Cory A Maloy
Jefferson Moss
Kay J. Christofferson
Jon Hawkins
Val L. Peterson
Nelson T. Abbott
Marsha Judkins
Adam Robertson
Norman K Thurston
Steven L Whyte
Jefferson S Burton
Douglas R Welton
Merrill F Nelson
I am vehemently opposed to this project for so many reasons. At some point, we need to draw a line in the sand and tell the legislature it can’t have its way with Utah and our taxpayer money. This project will destroy the lake.