A coalition of wildlife and environmental groups on Saturday raised both funds and awareness by hosting a bird-watching event to oppose the West Davis Highway.
Organizers said the proposed highway would be harmful to Wasatch Front wetlands, and to the hundreds of varieties of birds that nest, feed, stop during migration, or live and hunt in the Great Salt Lake marshlands.
“The Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers all came and said this road would do real damage,” said Carl Ingwell, cofounder of Utah Birders. “It will place semi-trucks within 500 feet of nesting birds.”
Nearly 40 bird watchers braved frosty morning temperatures to meet at the Great Salt Lake Nature Center at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. The suggested donation was $20, but some paid more for a chance to learn about the proposed highway or support its opposition, and to get a first-hand look at waterfowl in its natural habitat.
Southwest Earth First! 