The Past, Present And Future Of Utah Lake: Part II

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Jeff Beck

Utah Lake is in dire straits. At least, that’s the opinion of the company behind a massive engineering plan proposed for the lake. To save it, they say, we need to dredge it and build dozens of islands on it. Opponents say the project, rather than save Utah Lake, would likely lead to ecological disaster.

This Friday at 11 a.m., we’ll hear from both sides of the debate. According to Jon Benson, president of Lake Restoration Solutions, what’s at stake here is nothing less than the long-term viability of Utah Lake. He says their proposal will restore the clarity of the water, remove invasive species, reduce toxic algal blooms and turn back the clock on more than a century of mismanagement. BYU ecologist Ben Abbott and over a hundred scientists and experts vehemently disagree. The claims made by Benson’s company, they say, “contradict all scientific evidence.” Benson and Abbott join us to make their cases for the future of Utah Lake.

Air date: March 11 at 11 am. and 7 p.m.

Guests

Dr. Hans Paerl is a professor of aquatic ecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jon Benson is the president and COO of Lake Restoration Solutions.
Benjamin Abbott is an assistant professor of ecosystem ecology at Brigham Young University.