Trump Requests $1 Billion to Save Great Salt Lake

Utah leaders express optimism after president's budget proposal to rescue the world's largest saline lake.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:10am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting the receding shoreline of the Great Salt Lake, with the lake's waters reflecting the warm, golden light of the setting sun. The scene evokes a sense of melancholy and urgency surrounding the environmental crisis facing this unique natural wonder.As the Great Salt Lake shrinks, a $1 billion federal investment could be the catalyst needed to rescue this vital natural resource.Salt Lake City Today

President Donald Trump has included a $1 billion request in his discretionary budget to help restore the rapidly shrinking Great Salt Lake in Utah. Local leaders, including the state's governor and experts on the lake's ecology, have welcomed the proposal, calling it a critical step to protect the environment, public health, and economic development tied to the lake.

Why it matters

The Great Salt Lake is the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere and provides essential minerals and brine shrimp that are crucial to global food production. However, the lake has been rapidly shrinking due to drought and water diversion, posing serious risks to Utah's ecosystem and economy. Federal funding could be a game-changer in efforts to rescue the lake before it's too late.

The details

President Trump's $1 billion budget request still needs to be approved by Congress, but state leaders are hopeful it will provide the resources needed to undertake what experts call the 'world's first saline lake rescue mission.' The funds would go towards conservation efforts, water management strategies, and infrastructure projects to restore the lake's water levels. Experts say individual water conservation by Utah residents will also be crucial to the lake's recovery.

  • On Friday, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox announced Trump's $1 billion budget request for the Great Salt Lake.
  • Previously, Trump had pledged to take action to save the shrinking lake.

The players

Spencer J. Cox

The Governor of Utah who announced Trump's budget request for the Great Salt Lake.

Brian Steed

The Commissioner of the Great Salt Lake, who expressed optimism about the funding proposal and the need for water conservation efforts by Utah residents.

Ben Abbott

A BYU Professor of Ecology and the Executive Director of Grow the Flow, who emphasized the critical importance of saving the Great Salt Lake to protect the environment and global food security.

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What they’re saying

“It certainly gives us a lot of hope that this is receiving the attention that it's deserved for a long time. And we're really grateful for the president and his team for really coming through and putting this in the budget and gives us a target to work for with Congress now.”

— Brian Steed, Commissioner of the Great Salt Lake

“Making sure that we pull off the world's first saline lake rescue mission is critical. Having the president's support and, hopefully, congress's support is exactly what we need right now.”

— Ben Abbott, BYU Professor of Ecology and Executive Director of Grow the Flow

What’s next

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