Airport wetland conservation easement and sale to the state
The Department of Airports proposes granting a conservation easement to Utah Open Lands, with the easement price waived, and then selling about 900 acres of wetland mitigation land acquired for the west runway to the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Hearings were set for October 6, 2026 with tentative Council action October 20.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Public project
- Location
- About 900 acres of surplus wetland near the Great Salt Lake
- Size
- 900 acres
Every hearing and vote
September 8, 2026 · City Council work session
Briefing: sale of about 900 acres of airport wetland mitigation land and conservation easement
Discussed
The Department of Airports proposed that the city dispose of about 900 acres of surplus wetland acquired with FAA grant funds to offset wetland impacts of the 1990s west runway expansion at Salt Lake City International Airport. The city would first grant a conservation easement to Utah Open Lands, with the council considering waiving the price for the easement, and then sell the land to the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Two separate processes are required: a public benefits analysis and a public hearing on disposition of a significant parcel. Council Members and staff discussed keeping sale proceeds with the Airport and possible use for future projects including the center runway extension, limits on development under the easement (a small maintenance facility but no major structures), protections if the land were later rezoned, and wetland management. A hearing was set for October 6 with tentative Council action October 20.
- Buyer: Utah Department of Natural Resources (waterfowl management area)
- Easement holder: Utah Open Lands
September 15, 2026 · City Council
Consent: hearing dates for budget amendment, liquor waiver and wetland conservation easement
Approved · 7-0
On consent the Council set September 22 for a hearing on Budget Amendment No. 1 for fiscal 2026-27 (which includes $11.5 million in grants for Fleet Block and 9 Line improvements, $1 million for a Glendale Park pump track and skate park, and a $700,000 transfer for the Old Library Building Project). It set October 6 for hearings on a liquor proximity waiver for Taste of Thai at 2130 South Highland Drive, on waiving the price of a conservation easement over city-owned land next to the Great Salt Lake to Utah Open Lands, and the required hearing on selling surplus airport wetland to the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
October 6, 2026 · City Council
Hearing: sale of surplus airport wetland to the Utah Department of Natural Resources
Pending
The agenda listed the required hearing under city code 2.58.040 on selling a significant parcel of surplus Department of Airports property to the Utah Department of Natural Resources for a waterfowl management area, to be managed under the conservation easement held by Utah Open Lands. No further Council action is required.
October 6, 2026 · City Council
Hearing: waiver of conservation easement price for Utah Open Lands
Pending
The agenda listed a hearing and possible action on a resolution waiving amounts due for a conservation easement over city-owned parcels adjacent to the Great Salt Lake granted to Utah Open Lands. Tentative action was October 20.