EnergySolutions Foundation Donates $200,000 to Westminster College for Emigration Creek Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Project
Salt Lake City, Utah - August 8, 2006 The EnergySolutions Foundation has contributed $200,000 to Westminster College for environmental improvements. Emigration Creek runs through a portion of the campus and will be enhanced. The enhancements will include a study to determine the capacity for native Bonneville Cutthroat trout re-introduction.
Due to damage from storm run off in Emigration Creek the cutthroat trout habitat has been severely compromised. Nearby Parley's Creek has the native fish and therefore shows that the fish can survive in urban settings. Another indicator is that Rainbow trout have been planted in the creek on campus and have persisted for a number of years Salt Lake Fish and Game Association, Salt Lake County Flood Control, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and various other community resource organizations will be involved with Westminster students in this project.
"Westminster College offers tremendous benefits to our state from an education standpoint. It also is a beautiful campus in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley, said Fraser Bullock, Chairman of the Foundation Board. "This grant will provide the necessary tools to increase an awareness about Utah's native cutthroat while preserving this campus stream."
"This is an excellent opportunity for Westminster students to study and protect a habitat they know and care about. Imagine the return of cutthroat trout to their natural habitat in Sugarhouse; what a great chance for students to see that it is possible to have real, positive impacts on the other living things that share our urban environment," said Kerry Case, Environmental Center Coordinator at Westminster College.
The EnergySolutions Foundation is proud to have been asked to participate in this project. The Foundation was established to fund projects dedicated to cleaning up and enhancing Utah's environment for the benefit of current and future generations.
For additional comments or questions please contact Pearl Wright at (801) 870-1505.
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