A controversial venture meant to permit a minerals extraction firm to proceed pumping water from the imperiled Nice Salt Lake has been rejected by the Utah Division of Environmental High quality.
US Magnesium wanted approval from each the U.S. Military Crops of Engineers and DEQ’s Division of Water High quality to dredge and prolong its consumption canals a collective 3.7 miles to succeed in the lake’s receding water. It will have allowed the corporate to pump as much as 100,000 gallons a minute out of the lake, which has hit record-low elevations two years in a row.
The proposal proved controversial, with DEQ receiving a deluge of public feedback in opposition. Scientists warned that siphoning away extra water would have disastrous penalties for the lake, which has entered a section of ecological collapse. The ensuing dredged lakebed might additionally stifle microbialites, that are the inspiration of the lake’s meals internet, and blend poisonous materials into the water column, researchers warning.
Retired U.S. Geological Survey scientist Robert Baskin, who spent years learning the Nice Salt Lake, not too long ago expressed alarm that the corporate’s plans had been overly imprecise and didn’t absolutely discover their potential environmental toll. DEQ apparently agreed.
On Thursday afternoon, the company issued a information launch on behalf of the Division of Water High quality’s director asserting they’d denied the allow software, citing inadequate element.
“Primarily based on the knowledge submitted for the proposed venture,” the information launch mentioned, “the Director can not decide whether or not the proposed discharge complies with relevant water high quality necessities.”
DEQ is accountable for figuring out whether or not initiatives meet federal water high quality requirements beneath the Clear Water Act. The division director apparently requested a one-year extension from the Military Corps of Engineers to assemble further data to decide on US Magnesium’s proposal, however the federal company denied the request.
US Magnesium can apply once more for a dredging allow, the DEQ information launch famous, nevertheless it might want to submit extra details about water impacts and bear one other public remark interval.
“The corporate will take a look at their choices and resolve,” mentioned Tom Tripp, director of technical companies for US Magnesium, when requested for remark.
This story will likely be up to date.
This text is revealed by The Nice Salt Lake Collaborative: A Options Journalism Initiative, a partnership of stories, training and media organizations that goals to tell readers in regards to the Nice Salt Lake.