Great Salt Lake Marina Slip Renters and Users. I have been hearing some information for the last couple months that there is some serious interest from Department of Natural Resources towards dredging Great Salt Lake Marina. I felt it was not prudent for me to discuss this issue until I knew something concrete. Well, a little sunlight on the possibility of dredging has apparently begun to surface. First of all, as background to our situation, let me remind everyone that Great Salt Lake Marina is not the only marina that is in dire straits after the last three years of a serious water flow problem. Willard Bay, Antelope Island Marina and Utah Lake State Park Marina are all in the same proverbial boat as us with little water at our launch ramps, marinas and channels. I have been informed that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), our parent agency to Parks, has requested 1.5 million dollars be placed in the Governor's budget for the purpose of dredging Utah Lake and Great Salt Lake Marina(s). How that 1.5 million will be allocated between the two or three marinas, I do not know. Nor do I know whether it is enough to do what we need to fix our problems and extend our operating abilities if the lake continues to drop nearer to its historic lows. But what I can tell you, is that a dialogue that began inside DNR close to a year ago may be showing some fruition. Where do we go from here? The budget will go to the legislature this session starting in January. If passed, any work that might be approved for Great Salt Lake Marina, would not begin until after July 1st. DNR will begin holding some meetings in January regarding dredging. At this point I have been invited to attend these meetings. I will do what I can to behave so they do not choose to uninvite me between now and the scheduled meetings. I will keep you informed as the process of the budgeted money as well as our options moves forward. Please hope for the best. We still have obstacles to address. Dave Dave Shearer Harbor Master Great Salt Lake State Marina Antelope Island State Marina 801-209-9142
