Trust Celebrates as Settlement Secures Major Funding and Wetland Protection for Great Salt Lake
September 28, 2026
Governor Spencer Cox announced that Utah came to a settlement with the federal government after a decades-long land dispute. The State secured $60 million for projects that will directly benefit Great Salt Lake in exchange for the transfer of 22,311 surface acres of wetlands along the Great Salt Lake to the federal government for inclusion in the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy, as co-managers of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, are eager to see the impacts of this highly anticipated settlement and grateful to our partners at the State for securing these funds for projects that will have immediate and direct benefits for Great Salt Lake.
“This resolution strengthens the collaboration opportunities between the state and the Refuge to support the Bear River Bay and Willard Spur habitats,” said Marcelle Shoop, Executive Director of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. “The Trust applauds the strategic and practical impact of this agreement and looks forward to working with partners to leverage the funding to bolster the important ongoing efforts across the basin and lift up the projects that are still needed.”
While specific project allocations have not yet been announced, using the Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Strategic Plan, this funding could be directed to efforts in which the Trust is also deeply invested including helping with water control to move water to the right places and the most beneficial time and continued work to enhance water flows to Great Salt Lake. Additionally, this funding could support projects such as managing invasive vegetation, wetland restoration, water delivery infrastructure, habitat enhancement, and drought resilience.
This victory for the lake and its wetlands comes on the heels of a tough drought year that, despite challenging circumstances, still saw water being directed to Great Salt Lake thanks to the groundwork the Trust and its partners have laid over the last four years in terms of conservation efforts and developing a successful and impactful program for voluntary water transactions.
The Trust managers look forward to supporting our partners moving forward and is grateful to our state leaders for securing such an important and beneficial resolution that prioritizes the future health of the lake, its wetlands, and benefit Utah’s communities and wildlife that depend on this habitat.
Photo: Sierra Hastings/Sageland Collaborative