Update on US Magnesium 401 permit application.

UPDATE ON US MAGNESIUM 401 permit application.

This summer, Friends of Great Salt Lake (FRIENDS) learned that US Magnesium had applied for a 401 permit from Utah Division of Water Quality and the US Army Corp of Engineers to extend their water intake canals a few miles further into Great Salt Lake so they could avoid disrupting their operations by continuing to draw 100,000 gallons of water per minute from Great Salt Lake. As you know, the Great Salt Lake ecosystem is in grave peril, and can’t tolerate any more water loss.

Friends of Great Salt Lake opposed this project and petitioned the Utah DIvision of Water Quality to hold a public hearing and take public comments on the permit application.

We hoped the public would show up and speak up, and did they ever!!! Over 800 public comments were received on the 401 Water Quality Certification. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. The Utah Division of Water Quality is now working to address each comment individually before making their final decision on the permit. We are grateful to every single voice that was raised and we urge you to keep it up! You are making a difference for Great Salt Lake.

We still don’t know whether the Utah DWQ will decide to grant this permit, but Friends is continuing to follow the issue and will keep advocating for the best interests of Great Salt Lake as this process unfolds.

Read the full public comments here. I will post a copy of the Utah DWQs replies to these public comments as soon as I have that information.