We need to act responsibly now and totally stop planning and building the inland port that will naturally be a major polluting project. Salt Lake City and West Valley City residents should not suffer the resulting health problems for the benefit of private developers and merchandise distributors.
The increased air pollution caused by the Inland Port would add unhealthy pollution to an area that already suffers from debilitating inversions. We need to consider the concept of environmental justice and not add pollution to the less-affluent neighborhoods. The inland port would also bring about increased truck traffic which would be harmful to area birds and animals.
There was only one public hearing — called at the last minute — before the Utah Legislature passed the bill setting up the port and its board. And that bill was discussed on the floor of Legislature for only 15 minutes. That legislation took control of the land and taxation authority away from Salt Lake City and gave it to the state. This resulted in the city filing a lawsuit against the state.
After three years, the board still has not had an independent environmental impact or even a health risk study completed, even after several groups and individuals have requested them. Board members will not answer any questions during the public comment section of the monthly meetings, where the business portion is conducted in secret. So these meetings are not open or fair.
The board continues to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of state taxpayer funds that benefit private property developers and some material distribution companies at the cost of negative health consequences for thousands of northern Utah citizens. The inland port is not needed for the economic health of Salt Lake County or Utah. Utah already has the nation’s lowest level of unemployment.
The state of Utah should get on the right side of ethics, economics, and citizen’s health by turning most of this land into a large solar farm and a demonstration and working permaculture farm. Step up and do the right thing.
William E. Fisher
William E. Fisher, originally from Cedar City, grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from with a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University) and taught English and American government for the Clark County School District, Las Vegas. He is now active in civic and political organizations in Salt Lake County.