Environmental water markets are increasingly promoted as flexible, market-based tools to address water scarcity, yet their effectiveness in sustaining ecosystems remains uncertain. Nowhere is this tension more evident than in Utah’s Great Salt Lake, where declining water levels threaten ecological integrity, economic activity, and cultural values. Despite recent efforts, the inflows currently dedicated to the lake fall far short of what science indicates is necessary for its long-term sustainability.
In this talk, Professor Sarah Null examines whether and how environmental water markets can help bridge this gap. Drawing on collaborative research with policymakers, water users, and ecosystem managers, she explores recent policy developments, water leasing programs, and the broader challenges of water governance in the Western United States. The discussion highlights a critical insight: without well-designed water markets or comparable reallocation mechanisms, achieving the sustained environmental flows needed to preserve the Great Salt Lake will remain an ongoing challenge.
Speaker
Prof. Sarah Null
Lead, Environmental Water Managements
