Letter: Utah Lake islands plan is an environmental disaster waiting to happen – Salt Lake Tribune

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Lincoln Beach at the southern end of Utah Lake on Friday, July 26, 2019.

By Marilyn Marshall | The Public Forum

| June 26, 2022, 12:00 p.m.

I applaud the excellent letter by Teri Lyn Harman disparaging the many so-called improvements to Utah Lake by Lake Restoration Solutions.

Their idea is not unique. Where I grew up, many artificial islands were created in the bay. These islands were not built to improve water quality. They were built to provide very expensive real estate for developers. They built multi-million dollar private homes, gated and with only access by low bridges to the mainland which eliminated use by larger boats in those waterways.

Then imagine each one of these homes needs a private dock and a private boat. Now the lake is a playground for the wealthy and restricted for enjoyment by recreationists.

Private boats leak oil, need septic, cleaning, chemical use; none improve the water quality. Also they need amenities, so businesses will pop up around the lake. Gas stations, fast foods, cafs, coffee shops, float up bars, retail and souvenir shops and more.

Remember that they will need increased security, too, so increased law enforcement.

Another environmental disaster waiting to happen and it seems our Legislature is complicit.

All this means jobs, so that is how they will justify it. Of course it has nothing to do with the fact that over 40% of our state representatives are real estate developers.

Marilyn Marshall, Magna

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Letter: Utah Lake islands plan is an environmental disaster waiting to happen - Salt Lake Tribune