Utah Officials Join Racers’ Push to Protect Salt Flats

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's elected officials are joining the chorus of speed aficionados urging federal land managers to do more to protect the state's famous salt flats after rough, patchy salt led to a string of canceled races in recent years.

Gov. Gary Herbert, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee and U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop sent letters to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management recently that urged the agency to step up efforts to protect the Bonneville Salt Flats. The ground is renowned for the glass-like racing surface the hard and flat salt provides.

But racers say the area has been shrinking for decades and nearby mining is depleting the flats of salt. They say it's getting harder to find enough for cars, motorcycles and more to top speeds of 400 mph. BLM spokeswoman Megan Crandall says the agency is committed to protecting the flats.