Almost thirty years ago, the Utah Legislature passed the Bear River Development Act, which authorized studies for water infrastructure projects along the river in northern Utah. The Division of Water Resources published an updated feasibility study in 2019, and the debates have continued since. Proponents of the project argue that population growth necessitates dams and pipelines. Opponents counter that costs to taxpayers are excessive, the project is unnecessary for future water needs and risks for Great Salt Lake wetlands enormous. Join our panel to discuss the complicated intersection of economy and environment in the context of northern Utah’s Bear River.

Marisa Egbert, Bear River Project Manager, State of Utah Division of Water Resources

Bart Forsyth, Jordan Valley Water Conservation District

Zach Frankel, Director, Utah Rivers Council

Gabriel Lozada, Associate Professor, Economics