Ducks Unlimited awarded $5M contract for significant restoration work on Utah’s Lower Bear River

(Pictured above): Executive Director of Utah's Department of Natural Resources Joel Ferry talks with Chris Bonsignore, manager of conservation programs at Ducks Unlimited, about restoration work on the Lower Bear River. The Lower Bear River is the largest source of inflows for the Great Salt Lake. Credit: Jeff McCreary, DU

SALT LAKE CITY, UT. – November 5, 2024 – Ducks Unlimited continues to be a leader in conserving Utah’s Great Salt Lake, announcing a landmark development: a $5 million contract for restoration projects along the lake’s most significant tributary. 

The contract awarded by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (UDFFSL) marks DU’s largest funded project in the region and its first large-scale river restoration project in the state.

“The Bear River plays a critical role in the vitality of Great Salt Lake,” said Ben Stireman, Deputy Director for Lands and Minerals for Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “By focusing on upstream projects along the Bear River, we will see positive long-term benefits to the river and the lake. We aim to address several pressing issues, such as water quality, erosion, and invasive species while improving wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and the overall health of the Bear River.” 

Initially, it will fund the assessment, planning, and implementation of some of the first stream restoration projects along a 65-mile reach of the Lower Bear River, the single largest source of inflows to the Great Salt Lake. Monitoring and evaluating these first projects will help improve restoration techniques for future efforts in this reach. This cumulative work will make significant strides in restoring and enhancing one of Utah’s most vital habitats and a critical part of the Pacific Flyway.

“One of DU’s priorities is improving water quality in the lake and its major tributary streams,” said Chris Bonsignore, manager of conservation programs. “This contract provides substantial new funding to initiate a watershed scale, long-term effort on the largest tributary to the lake.  We are extremely excited about working with UDFFSL to begin this important effort.”

Annually, the Lower Bear River, Great Salt Lake and its wetlands support 3 to 4 million waterfowl and 5 million shorebirds, making it one of North America's most important wetland complexes. This multi-year endeavor will focus on restoring key habitats important for migrating and breeding waterfowl and other species of aquatic birds and wildlife. More than 300 species of birds rely on the Great Salt Lake as a breeding and nesting habitat. 

“We are proud to partner with Ducks Unlimited,” said Jamie Barnes, Division Director for Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “Having dedicated partners that align with our goals and objectives for the lake is crucial to being able to preserve these natural resources that benefit Northern Utah.”

In November 2022, the lake fell to its lowest recorded elevation of 4,188.5 feet. High Salinities in the lake's south arm threatened the imminent survival of brine fly and brine shrimp, essential aquatic invertebrates that support millions of migratory birds. 

The work will occur between Cutler Dam and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. In addition to restoration projects, the project scope will include a comprehensive assessment of streambank conditions and riparian habitats. 

“Restoration of this area is going to have substantial impacts on that ecosystem,” said Coryna Hebert, DU’s regional biologist in Utah. “It’s a really important area and it’s exciting that we’re embarking on this large-scale project.” 

This $5 million grant comes on the heels of a $3 million North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant, which is DU’s largest federal grant for restoration work in the state. This grant leverages investments from diverse partnerships—including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which made a significant donation of water shares—to conserve Great Salt Lake and its wetlands. 

The federal grant will enhance 7,349 acres of wetlands. Most of the work will be on public lands that are among the most visited in the state.  

For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to Follow DU’s Twitter feed – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 18 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.