Utah Acquires US Magnesium Assets to Protect Great Salt Lake

State wins bid to take over closed facility's water rights and property

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The state of Utah has won a bid to acquire key assets from the recently closed US Magnesium facility located on the Great Salt Lake, including its associated water rights and general property. The $30 million purchase by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL) is intended to prevent further environmental damage and secure water resources to help restore the declining Great Salt Lake.

Why it matters

The acquisition of the US Magnesium site is seen as a critical step to protect the Great Salt Lake, which has been shrinking due to drought and overuse of water resources. The lake's declining water levels have major implications for air quality, wildlife habitat, and the regional economy along the Wasatch Front. Taking control of this site and its water rights gives the state more tools to manage and restore the lake.

The details

The FFSL's winning bid includes roughly 4,500 acres and plant infrastructure from the bankrupt US Magnesium facility, as well as up to 144,790 acre-feet of associated water rights. The site had continued pumping large volumes of brine and groundwater from the lake system even after being largely shut down since 2021, raising environmental concerns. The state's acquisition is intended to prevent further waste and strengthen its ability to protect the Great Salt Lake.

  • US Magnesium facility largely shut down since 2021 following a 'catastrophic failure'.
  • In 2024, the site continued to pump more than 54,000 acre-feet of water from the lake system.
  • The state's $30 million acquisition bid was submitted and accepted in January 2026.

The players

Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL)

The state agency that submitted the winning $30 million bid to acquire the US Magnesium facility and associated water rights.

Rep. Jason Thompson

A Republican state representative from Cache County who praised the acquisition as a 'pivotal step to protect the Great Salt Lake, secure water for Utah's future, and address long-standing environmental risks at the site.'

Ben Stireman

The Deputy Director for Minerals and Lands at the FFSL, who discussed the next steps for assessing and managing the site.

US Magnesium

The recently closed magnesium production facility located on the Great Salt Lake, whose assets and water rights were acquired by the state of Utah.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge win for Utah and for the Great Salt Lake. We are taking control of assets that have been tied to major environmental concerns, and, most importantly, we are securing water that can help keep the lake alive. This is exactly what responsible stewardship looks like.”

— Rep. Jason Thompson, State Representative (Election Hive)

“When the Great Salt Lake drops, Utah families feel it in real ways. It impacts air quality, wildlife habitat, and the economy along the Wasatch Front. This purchase is about protecting public health, our environment, and making sure these resources don't end up in the wrong hands.”

— Rep. Jason Thompson, State Representative (Election Hive)

“Right now we're still assessing the site and trying to better understand everything that's going on there and how to move forward with the site, with the reclamation, and what the future holds for the site. So, we don't have any immediate or solidified plans yet; there's going to be a lot of work to determine what needs to be done with the EPA and others.”

— Ben Stireman, Deputy Director for Minerals and Lands, FFSL (Transcript Bulletin)

What’s next

The FFSL is currently assessing the US Magnesium site and working with the EPA to determine the next steps for reclamation and long-term management of the property. The state has no immediate plans for critical mineral production at the site, but is open to exploring opportunities that balance the needs of the Great Salt Lake.

The takeaway

Utah's acquisition of the US Magnesium facility and its water rights represents a significant step in the state's efforts to protect the Great Salt Lake and secure critical water resources. By taking control of this site, the state can prevent further environmental damage and work towards restoring the lake's declining water levels, which have far-reaching impacts on air quality, wildlife, and the regional economy.