Chairman and CEO

Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Cooperative, Inc.

Bio:

Don Leonard works as Chairman of the Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Cooperative, Inc., a Utah cooperative that harvests, processes and markets Artemia cysts on behalf of its member companies. 

Don has also served as President of the Utah Artemia Association, the brine shrimp industry trade association, for twenty-five years. During that time, he has been an active and effective advocate for the Great Salt Lake ecosystem through numerous boards, committees and activities. 

Don currently serves as chair of the State’s Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, and has served on the Division of Water Quality’s Nutrient Core Team, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands’ Great Salt Lake Technical Team, the Board of Friends of Antelope Island, and on other boards and committees in support of Great Salt Lake. 

Title: A Foundation, a Framework and a Road Map for Continuing Efforts to Preserve and Protect Great Salt Lake. 

Abstract: A strong foundation had been laid for preserving and protecting Great Salt Lake (GSL). That foundation includes defining and assessing Lake health and accurately detailing the economic significance of GSL. It also includes identifying and prioritizing Lake research priorities.

A strong framework has been built for advancing specific responses to lake threats. That framework includes understanding impacts of a drying lake, through studies and reports on consequences of drying lake systems around the world and an assessment of potential costs of a declining GSL.

Strong actions have been taken to start the process of preserving and protecting GSL. Those actions include important legislation and much-needed funding for the Lake.  

There is still work to be done. This presentation will discuss elements of a road map for the future.