The Legislature is discussing issues pertaining to the state’s needs. One of the items is surely the Great Salt Lake and the rapid loss of water, and what can or must be done to stabilize it to prevent this amazing lakebed from becoming a toxic wasteland.
Farmers, especially alfalfa farmers, take an enormous amount and use the justification that they have time-honored water rights. Some of this alfalfa is sold overseas to feed livestock in Saudi Arabia, China and other countries.
Keeping in mind that those water rights were established mostly at a time when water was plentiful, change is now in order.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s similar situations required changes. Large companies, many here in Utah, had manufacturing plants close, and workers lost jobs, because equipment, materials and labor were outsourced more efficiently closer to required job sites. One such company here in Salt Lake City shuttered a foundry, fabrication shop and machine shop, and hundreds, many of whom were second and third generation employees, lost jobs and had to make drastic adjustments in their lives because of required situations. These employees surely believed they had jobs for life.
The Legislature can and should make tools and finances available to resolve and help where required but, for the sake of two million-plus people’s safety and well-being, changes are required, and water must be allowed to flow into the lake.
Peter Bsumek, Cottonwood Heights
Correction • This has been corrected to reflect that some alfalfa is sold overseas.