Utah State Forester, Director
Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
Bio:
Jamie Barnes serves as the Utah State Forester and Director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The division administers numerous forestry programs, is responsible for wildfire management on state and private lands, and oversees Utah’s state sovereign lands. Prior to her appointment as State Forester and the division’s director in August 2021, Jamie managed the division’s sovereign lands program.
Jamie has a diverse background working with state, local, and federal government and a variety of stakeholders to forge collaborative solutions to policy challenges. She began her career in the legal system, working in the private law sector. There, she gained experience and knowledge in criminal and civil law. She started with the Division in 2011 as a paralegal, focusing on complex legal issues. Jamie holds a master’s of natural resource degree from the University of Idaho with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Weber State University.
Title: Securing the Future: The State of Utah’s Acquisition of US Magnesium Assets and the Path to Recovery for Great Salt Lake
Abstract: In a landmark move for the preservation of Great Salt Lake, the State of Utah recently completed a $30 million acquisition of the US Magnesium plant and its associated assets following years of litigation and the company’s bankruptcy. This presentation explores the strategic rationale behind the acquisition, which effectively secured over 144,000 acre-feet of water—the single largest water transaction in the lake's history.
Jamie will discuss the transition from reactive litigation to proactive management and stewardship, detailing how the Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands (FFSL) is addressing the environmental "legacy" issues at the Rowley site, including the remediation of hazardous waste ponds. This session will also highlight:
- Water Security: How the mineral leases and water rights contribute to the state’s goal of reaching a healthy lake elevation.
- Regulatory Evolution: The implementation of new standards for "no net loss" mineral extraction and the state's work with other producers to encourage innovation.
- Ecosystem Management: An update on the strategic use of the newly acquired state assets for the benefit of the lake.
This presentation provides a roadmap for how the state intends to balance industrial heritage with the existential necessity of a thriving Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
