Although it’s been delayed somewhat — which is the norm for something so large — the infrastructure improvement bill which was passed recently by the U.S. Congress will have several effects on those who live in the Beehive State.
As part of the bill — which totaled $1.2 trillion — several projects can be funded if they fulfill several different goals. These were set by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Here’s what they want to see take place across the country, including in Utah:
Wildlife risk: Projects were funded if they helped preserve or protect animals and ecosystems that are endangered.
Mining hazards: Work on lands that have mines was encouraged in order to lessen the damage they may cause to the environment, as well as safety concerns.
Helping parks: Funds were set aside to improve national parks and recreation sites that had not been significantly altered in recent years. This may include federal land inside states or ones that are a part of a city or county’s jurisdiction.
Stopping invasive species: Several projects are directed at this threat to the environment. Growth such as algae or weeds can have an adverse effect on the ecosystem and need to be mitigated.
As for Utah, there are 12 projects in total, adding up to $3.4 million. A few of the projects in that total actually are part of multi-state efforts. They include efforts to increase recreational access on BLM land, as well as native seed production for restoration and resilience. Among the projects in Utah are these key ones:
We’ll be watching to see if there are other projects being planned to help the state’s environment, especially on the federal front. You can follow us and see how we can help your district in a variety of ways, by visiting our website.