Salt Lake City Weighed Wetland Sale to State
The city council plans to discuss transferring 950 acres of airport wetlands to the state's wildlife division.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Bird Watching
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The Utah Department of Natural Resources has proposed purchasing 950 acres of wetlands currently owned by the Salt Lake City International Airport. The land, which includes a mitigation area from the 1990s, would be incorporated into the Blackhawk Waterfowl Management Area.
Why it matters
The airport director stated the wetlands fall outside the airport's core mission, while state officials seek to expand waterfowl habitat and hunting opportunities. Local conservationists have launched a petition demanding stricter terms for the land sale to ensure the area's protection.
The proposed deal covers 950 acres of wetlands, with 951 acres designated for permanent protection under a conservation easement held by Utah Open Lands.
The players
Salt Lake City International Airport
The airport owns the wetland parcel and is seeking to divest assets that are not part of its core competency.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
This state agency plans to incorporate the acquired land into the existing Blackhawk Waterfowl Management Area.
Bird Safe Utah
This organization has launched a public petition to influence the conservation terms of the land sale.
Utah Open Lands
This non-profit will hold a conservation easement to permanently restrict property development on the site.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This federal agency is the regulatory body required to issue a 404 permit for the land transfer.
The details
The airport initiated the sale following discussions with the state, which intends to transition the land into a managed wildlife habitat. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit is required for the transaction, and Utah Open Lands intends to restrict development on the site in perpetuity.
Timeline
The wetland mitigation area was originally established during the 1990s.
The Salt Lake City Council is scheduled to discuss the land sale on October 6, 2026.
Roadmap
The proposed land sale must navigate established environmental permitting protocols required for development or transfer of wetland areas. By utilizing a conservation easement, the state aims to balance public land use with long-term habitat preservation near the airport.
Residents may see changes to public access and land management once the area is incorporated into the Blackhawk Waterfowl Management Area. The transition to state ownership, coupled with a permanent conservation easement, ensures the acreage remains undeveloped for future use.
The takeaway
The move reflects an effort to shift underutilized airport land into dedicated wildlife conservation and hunting zones. Supporters and critics are currently focused on the specific stipulations of the conservation easement that will define the land's future.
What happens next
The Salt Lake City Council is set to review the proposed land sale at their meeting on October 6, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local habitats by visiting our Bird Watching page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU).
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Should local wetlands be preserved strictly for nature or opened for public recreation?
