Utah

FOX 13 News 360: The future of Utah Lake

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2022

FOX 13 News 360: The future of Utah Lake

VINEYARD, Utah — Utah Lake is a vital a part of the state’s ecosystem for wildlife, the financial system and out of doors recreation.

However a long time of neglect have taken their toll.

“Clearly it wants some love,” mentioned Craig Christensen, the president of the environmental group Preserve Utah Valley.

The lake has been plagued with carp infestations, seasonal poisonous algal blooms and the invasive plant species phragmites.

“We’re seeing a rise in inhabitants, we’re seeing a rise in growth, we’re seeing a rise in pollution. There’s so much happening and it’s having an actual impression on the lake,” mentioned Jamie Barnes, the manager director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Hearth & State Lands.

With quite a lot of consideration paid to the shrinking Nice Salt Lake, extra folks at the moment are being attentive to the well being of Utah Lake (which feeds into the salt water lake by means of the Jordan River).

“We’ve put quite a lot of human stress on the lake, and now we’re beginning to concentrate to what must occur to revive it,” mentioned Christensen.

New concepts — together with the idea of dredging the lake and constructing islands in it — are being superior.

“Utah Lake has been struggling for a lot of a long time,” mentioned Jon Bensen, the president of Lake Restoration Options, which is proposing the dredging undertaking. “There’s quite a lot of dialogue for the reason that ’80s and ’90s about restoring Utah Lake.”

Rep. Keven Stratton, R-Orem, the chair of the highly effective Home Pure Assets Committee within the Utah State Legislature, has been holding a collection of summits with Preserve Utah Valley on the well being and way forward for Utah Lake. They’ve seen greater crowds with every assembly.

“It’s actually useful and inspiring to see what’s happening and the notion behind the summits is admittedly training. Good info results in good choices,” he advised FOX 13 Information.

Christensen mentioned it’s good to see folks being attentive to Utah Lake.

“Individuals are completely beginning to concentrate. They notice there’s a lot we love about Utah Lake and a lot we don’t like. And with somewhat little bit of consideration, somewhat little bit of focus, we’ve really carried out some superb issues to maintain it as pristine as it’s and it has an extended methods to go,” he mentioned.

One motive Utah Lake is getting a lot curiosity is Lake Restoration Options’ proposal to dredge the lake and construct islands on it. A as soon as fantastical thought, it is backers are very critical about making it occur.

“It’s really not our thought,” Benson advised FOX 13 Information. “When you return to the early ’90s, there have been plans to do related issues, to dredge the lake, to kind islands with that materials. Even causeways and bridges throughout the lake have been talked about for a very long time. I believe what makes it work is the necessity. The necessity to restore Utah Lake is there.”

Lake Restoration Options has proposed constructing dozens of islands from materials dredged from the lake. They’d have completely different makes use of — some can be developed with industrial and residential buildings and roads resulting in them.

“Completely different islands have completely different makes use of, proper? A few of these islands are only for birds, wildlife habitat. These can have a distinct course of than what you’d want for say a recreation island that may have extra human interplay or perhaps a group island that may have constructions, everlasting constructions on them,” Benson mentioned.

Lake Restoration Options has begun the work to get the undertaking going. They’ve submitted an utility to the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers outlining their plans. A complete environmental research is getting beneath method. Benson acknowledged the undertaking won’t be low cost and will take greater than 15 years to finish.

“Our estimate for the excellent restoration is about $6.5 billion. Our plan, in fact, is to do with a public personal partnership mannequin which we’d do by bringing personal assets to the desk which we’d do with no tax enhance. However it’s time consuming, very costly to revive a lake of this magnitude,” he mentioned.

Benson mentioned he’s assured the federal authorities would approve the plan.

“That is the correct course of to undergo and the general public can have quite a lot of confidence that the result would be the proper consequence. Finally, we consider the Military Corps will resolve to approve and transfer ahead with this undertaking or some variation of it,” he mentioned.

Preserve Utah Valley doesn’t consider the island undertaking is a good suggestion. Christensen mentioned he has issues a couple of personal developer taking over such a large undertaking.

“This isn’t a sound thought. After which to do it to the whole lake? That is such as you’ve acquired a lower in your finger and you chop your arm off. That is overreaction,” he mentioned. “My concern is we want a restoration resolution, not an actual property resolution.”

As a substitute, Preserve Utah Valley has prodded the state and communities to do extra to scrub up Utah Lake. Rep. Stratton advised FOX 13 Information he’s “agnostic” concerning the undertaking, however the legislature did advance a collection of payments that may impression the lake and any restoration initiatives.

Rep. Stratton created extra of a course of with extra enter from the legislature, state companies and the governor for any rehabilitation undertaking. The invoice that handed the legislature did have help from each Lake Restoration Options and Preserve Utah Valley.

“The intent was to not create extra hurdles, the intent was to create extra integrity within the course of. To reply the questions that wanted to be answered. To be extra prescriptive within the method, rising the transparency that should happen. No matter we do, we’re on sound monetary footing,” Rep. Stratton mentioned.

One other invoice creates a particular “Utah Lake Authority” to make choices about rehabilitation initiatives and funding to perform it.

“It helps us prioritize the initiatives that we’re doing and the impression that they’ve,” mentioned the invoice’s sponsor, Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Highland.

Whereas his invoice was not tied to the island undertaking, Rep. Brammer mentioned lake rehabilitation will occur no matter that undertaking.

“They’ve acquired an extended highway forward of them. The Military Corps of Engineers, the EPA after which they need to go to our DNR, then our legislature, then the legislative administration committee. These are lot of fairly vital hurdles to show their case,” he mentioned. “And if they’ll, possibly it is going to be a reasonably nice undertaking. But when they’ll’t meet their burden? We now have one thing to fall again into the Utah Lake Authority.”

Utah’s Division of Pure Assets has already begun work to revive the lake. Carp infestation elimination has proven some indicators of success. The company has carried out some work to take away invasive plant species like phragmites. The Division of Forestry, Hearth & State Lands mentioned tackling poisonous algae is prime of the checklist this yr.

“We’re hoping that we’re beginning to get a deal with on issues however we will do higher and we have to do higher and we have to begin being proactive as an alternative of reactive,” Barnes mentioned.

Rep. Brammer mentioned he surveyed constituents and located rising help for restoring Utah Lake. Many constituents even mentioned they might favor paying somewhat extra in taxes if it meant serving to the lake.

“Not solely do constituents not usually like to do this, however Utah County constituents are very fiscally conservative,” he mentioned. “Primary, they perceive the worth of Utah Lake. However quantity two, they perceive this can be a public stewardship now we have over that lake they usually take that critically.”

With the lake’s restoration, Rep. Brammer advised FOX 13 Information he’s contemplating a invoice within the 2023 legislative session to alter the title of Utah Lake to “Lake Timpanogos” in recognition of the Timpanogos tribe that was in Utah Valley earlier than Mormon pioneer settlers got here in.

“A brand new title for the lake is completely acceptable so that you’re not dragging all that stigma from 100 years of mistreatment ahead into what we hope is a brand new and higher period for Utah Lake,” he mentioned.

Rep. Stratton mentioned he plans extra summits on Utah Lake. On the subsequent one, he mentioned, he plans to ask Lake Restoration Options to element their proposal.

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Utah

What to expect for the Nov. 5 general election in Utah

Published

3 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Polls closed for Utah’s primary elections on June 25 and preliminary results began coming in, setting the stage for the upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

While official voter canvassing results were not scheduled to be available until July 22, the Associated Press projected winners for several races by June 25.

Here’s what to expect for the voting process for the general election in November.

Who is running in Utah?

The June 25 primaries narrowed down the list of candidates running for office in Utah.

Gov. Spencer Cox was the projected winner for the gubernatorial race, according to the AP.

Rep. John Curtis was expected to clinch the Republican nomination to replace Sen. Mitt Romney, and would face off against Democratic challenger Caroline Gleich and Independent challengers Carlton E. Bown and Robert Newcomb in the 2024 General Election in November.

For a full list of Utah’s candidates, click here.

When are the registration and voting deadlines?

Depending on how Utahns register to vote, the deadlines for registration may vary.

Deadlines for registration (and how to register)

Voters in Utah can register online, in person, or by mail.

Online voter registration is available at vote.utah.gov, and it must be completed by Oct. 25, 2024. The deadline for registering by mail is also Oct. 25.

If registering to vote in person, the deadline is Nov. 5, 2024 (meaning you can register on Election Day if you have the proper forms of identification).

Deadlines for voting

Early in-person voting at the Government Center begins Oct. 22, 2024, and ends Nov. 1, 2024. Early in-person voting at satellite locations begins Oct. 29, 2024, and ends Nov. 1, 2024.

If returning a ballot by mail, the ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 4, 2024. Ballots should be sent to voters by Oct. 15, and the last day to request a mail ballot is Oct. 29.

On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Utahns can vote at polling locations from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

To find the closest polling location to you, visit votesearch.utah.gov and enter your address.

How do you check registration status in Utah?

If you want to vote but are unsure if you have already registered, you can check your status online at votesearch.utah.gov. To check your registration status, you need to provide your name, date of birth, and address.

That website can also display tracking information for mail ballots or provisional ballots, but not if you voted at a voting machine or in person.

Once you register to vote in Utah, you don’t need to re-register unless your registration status changes.

“If you have moved outside of the state and returned, or your name has changed, or your registration has lapsed by not voting in the last two presidential elections you will need to re-register,” according to the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office.

Registering on Election Day

Did you know that if you are not yet registered to vote you can do so on Election Day?

“A poll worker will assist you in registering to vote and casting a provisional ballot on an electronic voting machine,” the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office said.

To register on Election Day, you must bring a valid photo ID and proof of Utah residency to an Election Day vote center during polling hours. To see the full list of approved forms of identification, click here.

Who can vote in Utah?

There are three criteria for voters in the Beehive State.

First, you must be a resident of the United States in order to be eligible to vote in Utah. Second, you must reside in Utah for at least 30 days prior to the next election.

Third, you must be at least 18 years old on or before the general election. If you are 17 years old at the time of the primary election, you may still vote if you are 18 years old on or before the date of the general election.

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Utah

Utah Jazz NBA Draft Preview: 2024

Published

10 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

The Utah Jazz have an exciting night tomorrow because they have the 10th, 29th, and 32nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. the Jazz have been in several rumors regarding the draft. Some rumors suggest the Jazz will trade up for higher than pick number 10. Some rumors suggest the Jazz will package picks 29 and 32 for a higher second pick in the first round. The honest observation at this point is that the Jazz might do just about anything for the draft. Tune in tomorrow night from home or from the Delta Center to find out what the Jazz do in round one! To watch the draft, tune in to ABC or ESPN.

Round One Draft: 6 PM MST, June 26th

Round Two Draft: 2 PM MST, June 27th

Below are projections on who the Jazz could select with their 3 picks. The projections are based on the Jazz’s rumored interest and generally where players are projected to be picked.

10th Pick Projections:

Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images

Ron Holland

Nikola Topic

Rob Dillingham

Cody Williams

Zach Edey

Dalton Knecht

29th Pick Projections:

Kyshawn George

Ryan Dunn

Baylor Scheierman

AJ Johnson

Justin Edwards

Cam Christie

Tyler smith

Johnny Furphy

Pick 32 Projections:

Picks 29 and 32 are close so these projections mainly overlap.

Harrison Ingram

Kyle Flipowski

Trentyn Flowers

Jonathan Mogbo

Jaylon Tyson

Tyler Kolek

Bronny James

Bobi Klintman

Final Prediction

This projection could be way off because this draft has a lot of parity and the Jazz could very well trade some of their picks. With that said, I predict that the Jazz select Nikola Topic with the 10th pick. For the 29th pick, The Jazz go for Ryan Dunn. For the 32nd pick, I predict that the Jazz select Jaylon Tyson. I think the Jazz will almost make a trade or two tomorrow but don’t quite pull the trigger.

What do you think the Jazz will do tomorrow night? Comment below!

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4 Utah Jazz rumors to watch before the NBA Draft

Published

18 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

4 Utah Jazz rumors to watch before the NBA Draft

The Tribune’s Andy Larsen breaks down the latest reports.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) tries to evade the block attempt by Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during NBA basketball in Salt Lake City Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

| June 25, 2024, 1:50 p.m.

The NBA Draft starts Wednesday, and the rumor mill is heating up around the Utah Jazz. Here’s the latest news, along with my reaction to the possibilities.

Trading for Mikal Bridges?

Rumor: Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reported that the Jazz are one of the teams interested in trading for Brooklyn wing Mikal Bridges, along with Houston and New York. Bridges is one of “Utah’s most aggressive aspirations,” Fischer wrote.

Reaction: The Nets have repeatedly declined to trade Bridges despite it probably making sense for the franchise to do so. Instead, they’ve been asking for more than three first-round picks in return for the 27-year-old.

Bridges would make the Jazz significantly better; he’s developed himself into a 20-point-per-game scorer while also being a solid defender. He’s the two-way player with size that these most recent playoffs have shown are extremely valuable. (Though we should note here that he was a far better player before the All-Star break than after it last year.)

The problem is that it’s not immediately clear that the Jazz would be a playoff team even with Bridges — he was an eight-win player last season, and the Jazz finished 15 wins short of the No. 10 seed. For an acquisition of Bridges to make sense, Utah would probably need to acquire other good players around him and Lauri Markkanen to get up in that 45-win range required to make the playoffs in the West. Still, it could be an exciting first step.

Trading for Zach LaVine?

Rumor: The Bulls “remain active” on trade negotiations sending out Zach LaVine involving the Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers, according to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson. However, reporter Marc Stein disagreed with the report, saying he had been “advised to dismiss Utah’s interest.”

Reaction: Johnson’s a quality veteran reporter, but I agree with Stein. While I haven’t heard recent updates, Jazz personnel earlier this year indicated that LaVine wasn’t a logical option in the pre-trade deadline market given the Jazz’s place in the standings, LaVine’s poor record of availability, and especially his high contract that pays him a combined $138 million over the next three years.

Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine (8) scores past Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball In-Season Tournament game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

I don’t suspect circumstances have changed enough since to make a LaVine trade make sense now, at least not a trade in which the Jazz are giving up assets. If anything, it might require Chicago to send out assets to push the Jazz to take on LaVine’s deal.

Signing Tobias Harris?

Rumor: The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Jazz and the Detroit Pistons “are expected to be the strongest suitors for Tobias Harris,” who is a free agent this summer after his 5-year, $180 million albatross of a deal ended with the 76ers.

Reaction: The Jazz will likely have about $40 million in cap space this summer. Some of that room the franchise anticipates using on Markkanen’s renegotiation and extension as the Finnish star enters the final year of his current contract.

Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) defends against Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Harris is theoretically someone who could help the Jazz. At this point in his career, he’s statistically pretty average across the board — his shooting, rebounding, passing, steals, and block rates are just around the 50th percentile, maybe a bit higher. Even average, though, would make Harris the Jazz’s best wing by a lot.

He turns 32 this summer, so Harris doesn’t make sense for the Jazz’s long-term future, and signing him would also mean fewer minutes for last year’s No. 9 pick, Taylor Hendricks. But if they could get him on a short-term deal for a discount, he could also be a tradable piece in a move later while helping the Jazz improve now.

Looking to move up?

Rumor: Multiple reporters indicated that the Jazz are looking to move up in the draft using the No. 29 pick and the No. 32 pick. First, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Monday morning that the Jazz are looking to trade the two picks for a “pick in the late teens.” Arizona sports radio host John Gambadoro reported that he believed that the Suns had had discussions with the Jazz, sending the No. 22 pick to Utah for No. 29 and No. 32. Fischer, meanwhile, floated the idea of the Jazz acquiring No. 17 from the Lakers in exchange for the two picks.

Reaction: Jazz general manager Justin Zanik acknowledged that the club has reservations about having six first- or second-year players on the roster next season, the logical outcome if the team makes all three selections on Wednesday. So the Jazz consolidating these picks in this fashion follows that line of thinking, especially if they are targeting a player they believe is significantly better than what’s available around the turn of the draft.

My only concern is that, in general, teams trading up in drafts get a little less value than those trading down when you study the issue analytically. The NBA Draft Pick Trade Simulator at nbasense.com is a good tool for looking at this — trading No. 29 and No. 32 for No. 17 is a pretty fair deal, but trading those picks for No. 22 would be analytically a bad idea. That’s especially true in a “flat” draft, where players’ values are considered pretty close throughout the first round.

If the Jazz are going to defy the analytics, they should be really sure that the player they’re acquiring with the higher pick is worth giving up two chances to place bets further down in the draft.

Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.

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