SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), in partnership with Salt Lake City, has approved the reallocation of $5 million to support public safety services and conservation efforts that protect the Great Salt Lake, marking a significant reinvestment in both community safety and environmental stewardship in the Northwest Quadrant.
The action directs $2.5 million to Salt Lake City for public safety and $2.5 million to the Utah Department of Natural Resources for wetland conservation, reinforcing a shared commitment to ensuring economic activity supports both people and place.
The interlocal agreement approved by the UIPA Board, in coordination with Salt Lake City, will establish a dedicated ongoing revenue stream through which UIPA will continue making significant annual contributions to support public safety.
“The message here is simple: the Northwest Quadrant is not just a place to do business—it’s a place where people live, work, and raise families,” said Abby Osborne, Chair of the UIPA Board and the Chief of Staff for the Utah House of Representatives. “We are investing real dollars to make those neighborhoods safer and to protect the Great Salt Lake that defines this region.”
UIPA officials said the reallocation aligns with the authority’s mission to balance economic development with long-term public and environmental outcomes.
“This investment reflects a clear priority: protecting our residents while safeguarding one of Utah’s most important natural resources,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “By directing funding to public safety and conservation, we’re ensuring that growth delivers real and lasting benefits for our communities and the Great Salt Lake.”
The conservation funding will support wetland protection and restoration efforts overseen by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, which play a critical role in sustaining the Great Salt Lake.
“Wetlands are essential to the health of the Great Salt Lake,” said Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. “This funding will help advance conservation efforts that protect habitat, water quality, and the long-term resilience of the lake.”
The reallocated funding combines approximately $1.48 million from funds previously designated for the Leachate Protection Program and $3.52 million from funds previously allocated to economic development and community mitigation projects that were held for future use.
ABOUT UIPA:
As a state entity, UIPA has a unique role to coordinate a statewide economic development and logistics system to ensure long-term sustainability and statewide value. To learn more about UIPA project areas, developments and its members, visit inlandportauthority.utah.gov.