1/3/2024 0 Comments Bonneville salt flats newsDuring the summer of 2021, a new water well was installed along with equipment to measure water evaporation rates and collect scientific data. More than $1.2 million in federal and Utah state funds were released last year to start the ambitious restoration effort. Great efforts to use water more efficiently will help achieve the goal to increase the volume of salt returned to the salt flats. In working with Intrepid Potash, the volume of salt laid down on Bonneville will be increased by updating and improving the efficiency of the current pumping infrastructure and water conservation efforts, which includes rebuilding water wells, covering ditches and installing new pipes and pumps. The restoration program is managed by DNR in conjunction with the BLM, and it is operated by Intrepid Potash. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Utah Geological Survey, and Intrepid Potash Inc. SEMA and the racing community have joined forces with the U.S. The goal is to gradually increase the yearly amount of salt brine pumped ontoīonneville from an average of 300,000 tons per year to more than 1 million tons per year. SEMA has worked with the Save the Salt Coalition-a group of concerned racers, businesses and community members-to create the “Restore Bonneville” program. Once processed, the remaining salt was not returned to Bonneville until 1997, and the amounts pumped in subsequent years have not made up for decades of losses. Beginning in the ’60s, federal mining leases allowed salt to be transferred from Bonneville for potash extraction. Not only does this unique landmark attract tourists, filmmaker and other commercial activity, but it also possesses rare physical qualities that make it the perfect venue for land-speed racing.ĭespite being designated as a historic landmark, Bonneville is imperiled. Photo courtesy: D.Lopez-FotoMundo America/įor more than 100 years, racers have descended upon the crystalline white salt remnants of the ancient lakebed that comprises the Bonneville Salt Flats in search of epic speeds. Hundreds of land-speed records have been set and broken by racers driving all types of two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles.
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