There is not one example of an inland port to use for a basis, but the state has decided it wants to create one. The state insists that Salt Lake City can’t manage developing the northwest quadrant on its own. The City Council and mayor have a plan they have been working on for two years. The state wants to take over the city’s tax base and put whatever it wants in that quadrant. The city is concerned about environmental issues. The former wetlands are soft and unstable. The Friends of the Great Salt Lake, Audubon Society and Nature Conservancy are trying to keep the chemicals from destroying unbuildable habitat.

But let’s look at the state’s examples of project failures: UTA has been riddled with scandals; the new prison will cost double and the state knew it; the water commission spent $33 million for the Lake Powell pipeline application and never finished it; and where are the plans for the old prison site? The state will strip and dump and give tax breaks to anyone willing to pay without regards to cities on the west side of Salt Lake City or the valley.

Margaret Holloway, Salt Lake City