Post by Logan on May 3, 2016 11:41:49 GMT -6
Utah's population growth questionable without Great Salt Lake, researcher says
When exploring the economic impacts of the Great Salt Lake, it’s easy to look at the dollars flowing from lake industries to state coffers. But there are a slew of costs that are hard to assign solid numbers to, like the toll on the environment and Utahns’ quality of life.
Late last winter, Utah State University and various state agencies released a study showing the lake would be 11 feet higher if not for water diversions by people. Gabriel Lozada, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Utah, broke the study down.
“Water supply issues in Utah don’t have anything to do with supporting population,” he said. “It’s supporting growing one type of grass or another — alfalfa (hay) or Kentucky bluegrass.”
Municipal and industrial water consumption alone has lowered the Great Salt Lake by about 1.3 feet. Around 67 percent of Utah’s household water goes outdoors, mostly to lawns.
Read more: www.standard.net/Environment/2016/05/03/What-does-a-disappearing-Great-Salt-Lake-mean-for-Utahns-lives.html
When exploring the economic impacts of the Great Salt Lake, it’s easy to look at the dollars flowing from lake industries to state coffers. But there are a slew of costs that are hard to assign solid numbers to, like the toll on the environment and Utahns’ quality of life.
Late last winter, Utah State University and various state agencies released a study showing the lake would be 11 feet higher if not for water diversions by people. Gabriel Lozada, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Utah, broke the study down.
“Water supply issues in Utah don’t have anything to do with supporting population,” he said. “It’s supporting growing one type of grass or another — alfalfa (hay) or Kentucky bluegrass.”
Municipal and industrial water consumption alone has lowered the Great Salt Lake by about 1.3 feet. Around 67 percent of Utah’s household water goes outdoors, mostly to lawns.
Read more: www.standard.net/Environment/2016/05/03/What-does-a-disappearing-Great-Salt-Lake-mean-for-Utahns-lives.html