Every time there is a real public concern, the government response is the create another board or panel, which means the same as putting the concern on a back burner, while giving the impression that the issue is taken seriously.
We have plenty of boards and panels, supposedly studying or reviewing government departments, but most members of such boards are not selected, based on their knowledge of such issues, but on their affiliation with special interest groups. For the real technical data, the main reason for such boards or panels, they all depend on the information provided by the departments that are responsible and therefore should be accountable.
Sadly these strategies work and is causing delays to find real solutions for especially environmental problems, while they seldom are even questioned in the media.

I love to take my family down to the Great Salt Lake. We like to take a dip every now and then and sometimes even drink the water as we believe it has mystic healing powers. I was even baptized in the lake as a yound man.

"Love it" I love it! 'mystic healing powers', that's great. I've swam in the lake twice, and I can say it's not all that exciting. I don't think I'll do it again. It sounds as if the politicians are trying to tell the public how to feel about the lake. Is there a bit of personal interest in there behind the concern over the lake?

More like a few million of personal interest. Look into Peterson Partners and the shareholders and ties with our clean Gov. Huntsman Jr. Remember the Gov. stepped in for Checkets too, for us tax payers to watch "football" in Sandy. The lake will, unfortunately, continue to be used as a wastewater dump and allowed to dry up, water is just too valuable to too many...