Council: structural study to be contracted with USGS; $500,000 noted for berm/structure analysis
March 22, 2024 | Utah Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Utah Executive Branch, Utah
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Council staff said they will contract with the U.S. Geological Survey to complete a planned structural analysis of the causeway/breach and potential alternatives, and they flagged a $500,000 appropriation to support a berm or alternative structure study.
Marissa (Speaker 5) reported that Forestry Fire & State Lands, the Division of Water Resources, USGS and staff have met and concluded the study will be contracted directly with USGS once USGS provides an updated budget and agreement; until that paperwork is final the study is pending. "Currently, that budget they are working on. So once we have that updated budget from them, an agreement, we'll be able to kick it off," Speaker 5 said.
Speaker 6 noted the appropriation of $500,000 for a berm study and explained the intent is to pursue a design that is more predictable and adaptable than the existing rock berm — for example a structure that can be adjusted more frequently and with clearer performance characteristics. He said the study would be an engineering analysis and suggested a small subset of advisory members help scope the work so the procurement avoids conflicts of interest and draws outside technical input. The speaker also urged transparency about whether Jacobs (the facilitator’s employer) should or could bid on the work and recommended recusal/oversight as needed.
Members discussed monitoring needs for the berm during runoff, and staff said monthly field checks of flow and water quality will continue during runoff, with post‑runoff opportunities for targeted bathymetry or reassessment when conditions are calmer. The council asked volunteers to help scope the flow‑control structure work; staff will circulate a draft scope and charter revisions for committee comment ahead of the next meeting.
Next procedural steps: execute the USGS contracting agreement when available, complete the scope of work with volunteer input, and release a solicitation once funding and scope are ready.
Marissa (Speaker 5) reported that Forestry Fire & State Lands, the Division of Water Resources, USGS and staff have met and concluded the study will be contracted directly with USGS once USGS provides an updated budget and agreement; until that paperwork is final the study is pending. "Currently, that budget they are working on. So once we have that updated budget from them, an agreement, we'll be able to kick it off," Speaker 5 said.
Speaker 6 noted the appropriation of $500,000 for a berm study and explained the intent is to pursue a design that is more predictable and adaptable than the existing rock berm — for example a structure that can be adjusted more frequently and with clearer performance characteristics. He said the study would be an engineering analysis and suggested a small subset of advisory members help scope the work so the procurement avoids conflicts of interest and draws outside technical input. The speaker also urged transparency about whether Jacobs (the facilitator’s employer) should or could bid on the work and recommended recusal/oversight as needed.
Members discussed monitoring needs for the berm during runoff, and staff said monthly field checks of flow and water quality will continue during runoff, with post‑runoff opportunities for targeted bathymetry or reassessment when conditions are calmer. The council asked volunteers to help scope the flow‑control structure work; staff will circulate a draft scope and charter revisions for committee comment ahead of the next meeting.
Next procedural steps: execute the USGS contracting agreement when available, complete the scope of work with volunteer input, and release a solicitation once funding and scope are ready.
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