I was appointed to the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) board in March. UIPA’s primary focus is to drive generational economic development with a focus on uplifting our rural communities and enhancing statewide logistics. UIPA must be equally dedicated to ensuring environmental sustainability.

Development and environment are often segregated or seen as opposing forces. Traditionally, these two mindsets haven’t aligned, and they’re frequently at odds.

The Port is committed to placing environmental sustainability at the heart of its activities. The Port must continue to develop and support its partners to ensure that development can coexist with the natural environment.

One of the first projects I had an opportunity to influence as a board member was UIPA’s West Weber Project Area. This project area, encompassing approximately 9,000 acres, is located near transportation hubs, including Interstate 15 and Union Pacific rail facilities.

When I first reviewed the West Weber Project Plan in January, my primary concern was the potential impact on the area’s vital wetlands. These ecosystems are essential not only for biodiversity but also for the region’s ecological health. Any development plans must prioritize their preservation.

Project areas like West Weber are designated regions established to stimulate economic growth, enhance infrastructure and improve community welfare. It’s important to note that these areas are already zoned for industrial development, as per existing plans like Weber County’s Master Development Plan.

The UIPA board’s role is to ensure that these developments align with our strategic goals, which include economic benefits, job creation and environmental sustainability.

In response to initial concerns from the community and environmental groups when the West Weber Project Area was presented earlier this year, we integrated a comprehensive Wetlands Strategy into the West Weber Project Plan. This strategy details stringent protection policies and ensures no development occurs on these sensitive lands without thorough environmental assessments and appropriate protections.

UIPA will only provide incentives, loans or other support once the steps outlined in our Wetlands Strategy are completed.

Such crucial conversations might not have occurred if the Port wasn’t involved in the West Weber County development. Now, there is a wetlands strategy that respects private property rights, business imperatives and environmental sensitivities.

My hope is that this project area will bring a holistic approach to development. This means taking every measure to protect our wetlands, continuously engaging with local stakeholders and ensuring that our actions today do not compromise the environmental legacy we leave for future generations.

The West Weber Project Area is set to become a dynamic hub for manufacturing, distribution and technology. By creating high-quality jobs and enhancing infrastructure while adhering to the highest standards of environmental stewardship and conservation, we will demonstrate how development and the environment can coexist.

This initiative is more than an economic project. It’s a commitment to the people of Utah and to preserving the natural beauty that defines our state. It serves as a model for future projects across the region and beyond, providing a blueprint for sustainable development.

As we move forward with the West Weber Project, we continue to invite community engagement. Through open dialogue and collaborative efforts, we can achieve a future that honors our heritage and embraces progress. Let’s work together to make the West Weber Project Area a symbol of what is possible when we commit to both economic growth and environmental preservation.

Joel Ferry serves as a member of the Utah Inland Port Authority board and the executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.