PRESS RELEASE: $53 MILLION FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR GREAT SALT LAKE AND ITS WETLANDS
SALT LAKE CITY, (July 23, 2025)—The Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner (GSLCO), the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (the Trust), and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) are excited to announce that up to $53 million in grant funding is available for projects that support Great Salt Lake and its wetlands.
The significant opportunity comes from three separate funding pools provided by each organization.
The Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner, in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is providing $50 million. This funding is available for projects in three categories:
Voluntary Water Transactions: Compensation for a temporary or multiyear voluntary reduction in diversion of water or consumptive water use.
System Conservation Projects: Voluntary system conservation projects that reduce consumptive water losses through improvements to water distribution infrastructure. *These System Conservation projects are distinct from the Upper Colorado River Commission's System Conservation Pilot Program.
Ecosystem and Habitat Projects: Ecosystem and habitat restoration projects to address issues directly caused by drought in a river basin or inland water body.
“The abundance and diversity of funding available through this multi-organizational partnership will give project managers the opportunity to apply for the funding that will best fit their needs,” said Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake Commissioner. “The Commissioner’s Office is excited to coordinate its release of federal funding available for projects that will benefit the Great Salt Lake with our partners at the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.”
Of the remaining funding – $2 million will come from FFSL and $1 million from the Trust . FFSL and the Trust have partnered to provide up to $3 million for projects that will protect and/or restore wetlands and habitats in the Great Salt Lake’s surrounding ecosystems, benefiting the hydrology of the lake.
“This coordinated funding effort presents unprecedented opportunities to support projects that will enhance Great Salt Lake’s habitats, reduce water consumption, and deliver water to the lake and wetlands benefiting the overall health of Great Salt Lake. Partnership and collective efforts are essential to preserving Great Salt Lake,” said Marcelle Shoop, Executive Director of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. “The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust is honored to join the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner in announcing these new funding sources.”
This is the Trust’s third consecutive round of funding and second year partnering with FFSL. Drawing on past experience, the release of this funding has been timed to best align with the schedules of wetland managers.
“The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is excited to once again partner with the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust to release another round of wetland grant funding. The coordination of this funding opportunity with that of the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner will support projects that will provide long-lasting benefits for Great Salt Lake’s hydrology and its associated wetlands,” said Ben Stireman, Deputy Director, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
GSLCO, the Trust, and FFSL strategically coordinated the co-release of these funding opportunities to ensure a diverse range of project applicants and maximum impact for Great Salt Lake and its wetlands. Interested applicants will have the opportunity to assess which funding opportunity is right for their projects and apply through the corresponding grant process.
The Trust is managed by National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Program and The Nature Conservancy. The Trust and FFSL will work together on the coordination of the grant application and awarding process. This funding opportunity has specific project eligibility requirements and scoring criteria. For more information visit: https://www.gslwatertrust.org/wetland-grants
Regardless of what grant process applicants select, all applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Oct. 24, 2025.
Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner - https://greatsaltlake.utah.gov/commissioner
Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands - https://ffsl.utah.gov/
Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust - https://www.gslwatertrust.org/
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Media Contacts:
Kyle Doubrava, Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner
kedoubrava@utah.gov; 801-644-5852
Shaela Adams, Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust
shaela.adams@audubon.org; 801-809-5805
Karl Hunt, Forestry, Fire and State Lands
kthunt@utah.gov; 385-249-669
