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Driving on the Great Salt Lake bed could result in misdemeanor charges

FILE - Mirabilite spring mounds are shown at the Great Salt Lake on May 3, 2022, near Salt Lake City. The Great Salt Lake has hit a new historic low for the second time in less than a year. Utah Department of Natural Resources said Monday, June 5, 2022, in a news release, the lake dipped Sunday to 4,190.1 feet. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool, File)
Rick Bowmer/AP
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Pool AP
The driest portions of the Great Salt Lake are suffering even more by people driving on it. It's a class B misdemeanor to drive on the lake.

Authorities have seen visitors driving on the Great Salt Lake in recent weeks. They want to remind the public that it’s illegal and harmful to the lake bed.

The Great Salt Lake has made worldwide news lately, and not for positive reasons. The water has dropped to crisis levels, which has increased visitor’s curiosity.

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources, driving on the dry portions of the lake bed can cause major damage to an already fragile ecosystem. Doing so disturbs the delicate crust and has serious implications for wildlife and air quality.

Also, vehicles get stuck in the soft mud, making recovery difficult and causing more damage to the lake.

A Utah law states that anyone driving on the bed of a lake without written permission is subject to class B misdemeanor and liable for civil damages.

Producer for The Community Campfire