The Utah State Legislature determined four years ago that 16,000 acres of land in mostly Salt Lake County would be the best place for a massive inland port. The inland port initiative began over a decade ago when the Wasatch Front was seeking new economic opportunities to build our economic tax base and add high-paying jobs. But the picture since then has completely changed.
The Wasatch Front has seen skyrocketing growth, massive real estate price increases as well as a huge increase in cars, trucks, and semi-trucks on our roads and highways. Along with all of these additional vehicles, there has been a huge increase in pollution, to add to Salt Lake City’s already terrible air quality.
Protests against the inland port became contentious in downtown Salt Lake City at the end of Mayor Jackie Biskupski’s term. Mayor Erin Mendenhall pledged to fight for Salt Lake City residents, especially those who are living on the west side so that their lives would not be adversely impacted by the decisions of a few elite state lawmakers and their cronies.
This ruling by the Utah State Supreme Court comes as a massive blow to all of those who have been fighting against the polluting inland port including guests Utah Stories has had on our podcast in recent years.
Deeda Seed operates the “Stop the Polluting Port Coalition” she says that, “private industries are getting rich off of our tax dollars.” She pointed out an Amazon fulfillment center is paying $15 nearby. “This isn’t a livable wage.” and taxpayers should not be subsidizing Amazon.”
Further, the port puts tremendous pressure on the habitats of millions of migrating birds who stop at the Great Salt Lake to feed. The ecosystem along the shores of the Great Salt Lake depends on mosquito larvae. Millions of dollars of additional mosquito abatement insecticide are required to accommodate the staff working out at the inland port. This will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
Watch our interview with the “The Inland Port Yes Man”
Watch our video on how the inland port increases the divide between the rich and the poor
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