This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I remember bobbing effortlessly in the Great Salt Lake…no floating apparatus needed … like being weightless in outer space. American White Pelicans flew overhead to nesting grounds on Gunnison Island. The buzzing black clouds of brine flies (that, by the way, do not bite) were annoying but tolerated because I knew they were a primary source of food for nesting birds. I was proud that our city was named after a lake that gave us memories, salt and a home for over half of the Rocky Mountain migratory birds.

The thought never crossed my mind that due to shrinkage, the Great Salt Lake might need to be renamed the Minor Salt Lake. When the pioneers arrived in 1847, the lake spread across approximately 1,600 square miles. Current NASA satellite images show the lake has shrunk by 39 percent, down 11 feet since that first arrival of settlers.

In October 2015, the Great Salt Lake reached its lowest level in recorded history, stranding sailboats on the parched shore.

According to NASA, the western drought, water diversions for agriculture and industry and record heat due to human-caused climate change will further shrink our lake.

Shrinking lakes leave behind large areas of dusty shoreline that are contaminated with heavy metals, microorganisms and other health-altering particles. This results in hazardous dust storms around the lake bed and along the Wasatch Front from Provo to Brigham City. In Los Angeles, the desiccation of Lake Owens became one of the largest sources of particulate matter air pollution in the country. By 2018, the dust mitigation is estimated to cost taxpayers $2.1 billion. These dust storms might also cause our crucial snowpack reserves to melt faster. Research is underway to make that determination.

A shrinking GSL has and will continue to impact the habitat of over 3 million birds including 35 species that annually use this area for breeding. The American White Pelican breeds on Gunnison island, a habitat that provides a protective isolation for their nests. Even with a nesting survival rate of only 25 percent, the pelican population of up to 12,000 is thriving on the island. If lowered water levels create a land bridge, "One coyote with free access to the colony could pretty much wipe out the whole colony" says John Luft, Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program manager for the DWR. Loss of bird populations means loss of seed dispersal, loss of pollination for our food sources, loss of fertilizing guano and an increase of pesky insects among other ecological losses. Not to mention the loss of our refreshing wonder, while watching birds in flight.

How can we halt the destruction we are causing and revive our GSL? Political action is necessary to reverse and prevent further damage. Our representatives want to hear from us. Ask them to:

• Legislate against further diversion of water to our Great Salt Lake. Ask our legislators to take a hard look at the proposed Bear River Water Development that prevents 220,000 acre feet of water per year from flowing into the system — a big hit to waterfowl habitat!

• Work to mitigate climate change by supporting a revenue neutral carbon fee and dividend bill as proposed by the non-partisan Citizen's Climate Lobby.

The decisions we make today will affect our Wasatch Front environment and the unique GSL refuge for the next century. Let us honor what we share and unite in our diversity of talents to create a place where humans can thrive in health and safety … even the brine flies!

Karen Jackson is a pediatric nurse practitioner and a member of Citizens Climate Lobby and Friends of the Great Salt Lake.