President Trump Proposes $1 Billion for Great Salt Lake Restoration

Utah's Great Salt Lake, located near Salt Lake City, once covered about 2,300 square miles and supported a diverse ecosystem. Recent water shortages from excessive consumption and low snowfall have reduced its size, exposing over 1,000 square miles of lakebed containing heavy metals and toxins like arsenic.

These elements pose respiratory health risks to approximately 2.5 million people in the region and can spread to neighboring states during wind events. The lake serves as a source for fertilizer, critical minerals such as lithium and magnesium, and up to 50% of the world's brine shrimp supply, which is used in aquaculture.

It also supports millions of migratory birds annually. Water levels depend on snowpack and tributaries, but diversions have contributed to the decline, with 2026 marking Utah's worst snowfall on record.

Spencer Cox met with President Trump at the White House to discuss the lake's issues. Ferry said Cox presented the lake's significance, noting it as the largest west of the Mississippi and in decline. President Trump committed to addressing the issue during the meeting, according to Ferry.

At a White House dinner with governors on February 21, 2026, Trump reiterated his intent, stating, "We're going to save it. We're not going to let that go.

“Very important to save The Great Salt Lake in Utah. Ben Abbott, an ecology professor at Brigham Young University and director of Grow the Flow, stated that restoring the lake would be a world first for a terminal saline lake. Utah has pursued federal support for two years to address the cultural, environmental, and economic importance of the lake. President Trump posted about the lake on Truth Social on February 21, 2026, and again on March 10, 2026, emphasizing his role in its restoration. The proposed $1 billion federal investment aims to reverse the lake's decline. Utah officials continue to coordinate with federal partners on the initiative.”