Farmers could be paid to direct water to the Great Salt Lake under new proposal

• Most of the water that gets diverted from the saline lake is due to agricultural use — largely alfalfa.

Details: The proposal calls for paying farmers to not grow late-season crops, per FOX 13. The water intended for the crops would be sent to the lake instead.

The intrigue: The proposal gained the support of the Utah Farm Bureau after months of negotiations with state lawmakers, according to FOX 13.

What they're saying: "Hopefully it's going to move some of that [agricultural] water to the lake in a way that makes everyone happy," the measure's sponsor state Rep. Doug Owens (D-Millcreek) told FOX 13.

What we're watching: What other water-saving measures state lawmakers will propose this year to protect the lake from environmental collapse.