Lawmakers, environmental advocates and researchers gathered on Thursday for the second annual Great Salt Lake Summit to discuss potential solutions to the environmental crisis unfolding at the saline lake.

What they're saying: "It's been made abundantly clear to all of us that saving the Great Salt Lake and implementing greater water conservation statewide is not a small task," Republican House Speaker Brad Wilson said.

• "It's definitely not something that those in this room or I can do alone. It's going to take a concerted effort across the state."

State of play: Wilson announced Weber Basin Water and Jordan Valley Water conservancy districts would send an additional combined 30,000 feet of water into the lake before the end of the year.

Details: Utah Department of Natural Resources executive director Joel Ferry said a potential pipeline — suggested by International Water Holdings and lawmakers — that would pump water from the Pacific Ocean into the Great Salt Lake would cost the state $60-100 billion.

• "Now that's really expensive … but what is the cost to do nothing if we continue down this road?" he said, adding that no idea was too big or unreasonable.

Context: Climate change, the ongoing drought and the state's rising population have exacerbated the Great Salt Lake's demise, which could result in severe environmental ramifications and threaten Utah's billion-dollar ski industry.

• The Utah Legislature passed a bill this year to spend $40 million to preserve the body of water.

Share this story

An Oregon-based environmental group sued the U.S. Forest Service this week over how it combats wildfires, the AP reported.

Driving the news: Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics alleges the service polluted waterways by "inadvertently dropping large volumes of chemical flame retardant" in streams in the West.

• The group says that's a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Of note: A Forest Service spokesperson declined to comment, citing pending litigation, according to the AP.

Context: The AP says government data released this year found that between 2012 and 2019 USFS aircraft dropped more than 760,000 gallons of retardant.

• The chemicals involved are inorganic fertilizers and salts that can be dangerous for some fish, frogs and other animals.

Why it matters: The risk of wildfires continues to grow as the West grapples with an ongoing megadrought.

By the numbers: As of mid-September, Utah saw 893 wildfires this year, according to KUER.

• That burned more than 25,000 acres.
• But the total is down from 1,084 fires that burned during the same time period in 2021, and more than 1,300 in 2020.

💻 A cyberattack obtained private information from members, employees and contractors of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Deseret News)

• Threat level: Church leaders said the hackers did not get banking or donation information.

🏞️ The Ute Indian Tribe sharply condemned President Joe Biden for designating Camp Hale-Continental Divide a national monument in Colorado without consulting them. Tribal leaders said the proposed monument is located on their traditional homelands. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

🏠 Eligible Utah homeowners can apply for pandemic-related mortgage relief. Applications are online. (KUTV)

Utah ranks second in the U.S. for the number of hours a person spends watching Netflix each year, an analysis by data company Techelate found.

By the numbers: The average Utahn spends 782 hours — or one month— a year binging on Netflix.

• That amounts to about 15 hours per week — essentially a part-time job!

Zoom out: Oregonians topped the list, clocking 798 hours per year, while North Dakotans ranked last with 662 hours.

Details: The average was calculated using Google Trends search data and an NTIA survey.

Yes, but: Utahns were listed as last in the nation for password sharing, the report showed.

• Just 23% of Netflix subscribers in Utah said they shared their account passwords.

🎾 The ball is in your court. Check out these opportunities.

1. Business Development Analyst at Sorenson.
2. Senior Data Strategist at Perficient.
3. Salesforce Practice Director at Slalom.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

There are plenty of spooky events to attend before Halloween.

1. Visit a pumpkin patch

Details: Mabey's Pumpkin Patch in South Jordan is selling locally grown pumpkins until the end of the month.

• There are about 45 different varieties of pumpkins on the 16-acre property.

Where: 10090 S 1000 W South Jordan, UT 84095

When: Monday-Saturday, from 10am to 7pm

2. Go to a Jazz game

Details: Watch the revamped Utah Jazz compete against the Dallas Mavericks in this pre-season game.

When: Friday, Oct. 14 at 7pm

Where: Vivint Arena

Cost: Tickets start at $8

3. Watch a scary movie

Tower of Terror at the Broadway is screening classic scary films such as "Suspiria" and the horror comedy "The Lost Boys" this weekend.

When: "Suspiria" is showing Friday at 9pm. "The Lost Boys" will play Saturday at 9pm.

Where: Broadway Centre Cinemas at 111 East Broadway, Salt Lake City

Cost: $12