May 13, 1997
Elise Peterson 801-524-5001
Reed Harris 801-524-5001
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
State of Utah announce that over $7 million dollars will be used
to improve natural resources along the Jordan River between 9800
South and 11300 South. This work will be accomplished under two
cooperative agreements, one with South Jordan City and one with
the Great Salt Lake Audubon. The resulting combined projects will
enhance, protect and conserve natural resources on nearly 190
acres along two miles of Jordan River frontage.
The $7 million dollar figure is the result of major
funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Utah,
Utah Reclamation, Mitigation, and Conservation Commission and
the Environmental Protection Agency. It also includes contribution
of funds and /or in-kind services from South Jordan City, Great
Salt Lake Audubon teamed with TreeUtah, IHI Environmental, National
Audubon, Partners in Flight and Ty Harrison.
"These projects have received full support
from the local communities because they were developed by local
individuals, organizations and municipalities." said Reed
Harris, Supervisor for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Utah
Field Office. "The Fish and Wildlife Service and the State
of Utah view this as a unique opportunity to not only enhance
and restore the Jordan River in a manner that benefits the natural
resources but also supports the community and its vision for the
future," Harris said. "This task would have been too
big for a single entity, but with contribution by several partners,
the common goal of restoring this part of the Jordan River is
very real," Harris added. "The seed funding for these
projects comes from the natural resource damage claim portion
of the Sharon Steel Superfund settlement" explained Kent
Gray, Director of Utah Division of Environmental Response and
Remediation. "The state is impressed with the projects and
pleased that the money will be used to benefit areas near the
damaged site."
Construction on these projects will begin next spring,
however initial work such as designs and pilot plantings, which
are used to determine what types of plants grow best in a specific
area, may begin this year. These habitat restoration projects
will improve the river floodplain to a more natural functioning
system which will benefit wildlife, aid in flood control and help
control erosion of the river bank. South Jordan City's project
which runs from 10600 South to 11300 South, when completed, will
be an integral part of the Jordan River Parkway, portions of which
are already completed throughout the Jordan River corridor. The
Great Salt Lake Audubon migratory bird project, between 9800 South
and 10600 South, will be open to birdwatching, nature study, and
small educational groups on a seasonal basis.
The initial concept for these restoration projects
is a result of a $2.3 million dollar natural resource damage settlement
received by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for injuries sustained
to endangered species, migratory birds, and wetlands by release
of heavy metal from the Sharon Steel Superfund Site on the Jordan
River in Midvale, Utah. A conceptual restoration plan was developed
to solicit proposals for the restoration of these natural resources
injured at the Sharon Steel Site. These restoration projects
with South Jordan City, and Great Salt Lake Audubon are a result
of this request for proposals and money from this settlement is
included in the $7 million dollar award announced today.
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