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College of Law

Local Action. Basin-wide Impact.

The Lake Leaders Initiative supports local government efforts to conserve for Great Salt Lake. Through the Initiative, we work with municipalities throughout the Great Salt Lake Basin to assess and improve local water conservation practices, tailor policies and ordinances to specific cities, and support policies that ensure water savings benefit the lake.

Our team includes law faculty, pro bono attorneys, and law students. We assist with tailored policy advice for municipalities, research, ordinance and assessment development, and municipal outreach to help shape effective, legally sound local policy.

Our Work

  • We are supporting the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council with the rollout and implementation of Great Salt Lake Water Conservation Toolbox. This toolbox provides tailored assistance and model ordinance help to cities across the Basin.

    We are part of the Toolbox Assistance Team. You can find resources below:

  • We work with cities across Great Salt Lake Basin to identify and tailor water conservation strategies, ordinances, and tools to the needs of specific cities.

  • In addition to working with municipalities, the Initiative also works with the state, including Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, and Utah State University’s Growing Water Smart to align efforts and assistance with broader state efforts.

  • We are creating a detailed assessment rubric that helps municipalities evaluate and implement or strengthen their water conservation programs and policies.

  • We have developed a growing set of sample ordinances and policy resources to support city leaders in adopting and tailoring water conservation measures to their city’s needs.

  • Lake Leaders Initiative: Assisting Local Leaders to Conserve Water for GSL (2024)

Cities 0r Municipalities

If you are a city or municipality interested in partnering, please contact us at gslproject@law.utah.edu.