Recent headlines about the Great Salt Lake, including from the president, and new federal efforts to help stabilize it, have once again drawn national attention to one of Utah’s most defining natural landmarks. For those of us who call this state home, the lake is more than a headline. It is part of who we are.

Utah has always valued self-reliance, stewardship and practical problem-solving. That is why the latest federal partnership aimed at supporting the lake’s recovery is welcome, so long as it respects a simple principle: Solutions should be driven here at home.

Washington can be a partner, but Utahns must remain in the driver’s seat. A one-size-fits-all mandate will not work. A collaborative approach of farmers, ranchers, conservationists, anglers, scientists and elected leaders that strengthens state-led conservation efforts will.

The Great Salt Lake is not just a scenic backdrop. It is a pillar of our economy. Through mineral extraction, brine shrimp harvesting and a thriving tourism industry, the lake contributes roughly $2 billion annually to Utah’s economy. It supports jobs across multiple sectors and sustains families in communities statewide.

Even our world-class snow is tied to the lake’s health. Lower water levels threatening the lake affect snow that fuels Utah’s ski industry, with projections of up to $9.6 million in annual losses if trends continue. For a state known globally for its outdoor recreation, that matters.

Protecting the lake means protecting a way of life that generations of Utahns have worked hard to build.

The stakes go beyond economic numbers, as well. As water levels drop, more lakebed is exposed, increasing the risk of dust storms along the Wasatch Front and surrounding communities. These storms can carry heavy metals and other contaminants, posing long-term public health risks such as hypertension and neurotoxin exposure. While dust mitigation is possible, it could cost billions over the next two decades if the problem continues to grow.

Utahns understand that prevention is better than reaction. Responsible water management, conservation incentives and infrastructure investment today will cost far less than emergency measures tomorrow.

The environmental consequences are just as serious. The lake’s wetlands provide critical habitat for millions of migratory birds. Declining water levels degrade those wetlands and allow invasive species to spread, threatening the biodiversity that makes the lake ecosystem unique.

At the center of this ecosystem are brine shrimp and algae, small but essential components of the food web. The Great Salt Lake produces an estimated 40 to 45% of the world’s brine shrimp used in aquaculture, generating between $70 million and $100 million annually. A collapse in this population would not just impact Utah but would also disrupt global supply chains.

Protecting the lake means protecting a resource that reaches far beyond our borders.

This is what environmental stewardship looks like in practice. It is not about slogans. It is about recognizing that Utah’s prosperity and natural heritage are inseparable. Our state was built by people who understood the value of scarce water and who worked together to make the desert bloom. That same spirit must guide us now.

The encouraging news is that Utah is stepping up. Policymakers, farmers, industry leaders and conservation advocates are advancing practical, market-driven solutions. Federal support, when structured as a true partnership, can expand resources without overriding local knowledge.

Conserving the Great Salt Lake is about preserving economic strength, protecting public health and defending the outdoor heritage that defines this state. It is about making sure the next generation of Utahns inherits the same opportunities and quality of life that we have enjoyed.

Utah does not wait for others to solve its challenges. With steady leadership and a united effort, we can secure the future of the Great Salt Lake and show that responsible conservation and economic growth go hand in hand.

That is environmental stewardship in action, and it is also the Utah way.

Tyler Boyles is the Utah State Director with the American Conservation Coalition (ACC).

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