After tour of Great Salt Lake, Sen. Romney says feds are here to help

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Sen. Mitt Romney took a tour of the Great Salt Lake Friday to get a better understanding of how low the lake has shrunk, and what it might take to save it.

He says the federal government is here to help but will follow Utah’s lead.

“And the federal role here is really to provide funding, to help in the studying that’s going be going on,” he said. “Providing funding for those projects that are more expensive. But the guidance to what’s done, first, second and third, and how we make sure the lake is preserved, that’s under the leadership of the state.”

After taking a tour of the Great Salt Lake, Romney says the federal government will be supportive of what actions the state takes.

“You don’t what the federal government coming in telling you how to run the Great Salt Lake or the community,” he said. “But we’ll be supportive of the decisions the state is able to take.”

Both Romney and Rep. Blake Moore have filed bills to send resources toward saving the Great Salt Lake.

Mark Jones contributed to this article.

Read more:

• Romney’s Great Salt Lake bill folded into larger law, passes the Senate
• Utah House Speaker bringing back second annual Great Salt Lake Summit