Utah's natural resources chief is on his way out, but not before taking a detour to Argentina. Joel Ferry, the outgoing commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, joined a state-funded diplomatic and trade mission to Argentina earlier this month, just weeks before his last day on the job.
The delegation also included state lawmakers, government officials and one organization from the private sector.
For this trip, the focus was on expanding the relationship between Utah State University and Universidad Nacional de La Matanza and exploring partnerships in critical mineral supply chains and energy innovation. The delegation also met with officials to learn about Mar Chiquita Lake, an important salt lake ecosystem, which is home to a Wilson's phalarope population that migrates between Utah and Argentina.
Ferry’s last day in Gov. Spencer Cox’s cabinet is Friday, Aug. 28. He says he’s leaving to focus on his family farm in Box Elder County and to do lobbying and consulting work. His farm controls thousands of acres of agricultural land and wetlands bordering Bear River Bay and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge at the northern end of the Great Salt Lake.
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So why bring him on the trip two weeks before he walks out the door?
"As commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Joel Ferry brings technical expertise across water stewardship and energy and mineral development. His participation ensures high-level continuity and lays the groundwork for a seamless transition the incoming commissioner can build upon," Kim Wells, communications director for DNR, said in an email response to questions from Utah Political Watch.
Wells says Ferry's participation will ultimately benefit Utah taxpayers, despite his looming exit.
"The trip directly benefits Utahns by advancing collaborative solutions for the Great Salt Lake, which is critical to the state’s environment and economy. The mission also accelerates strategic discussions on responsible energy and mineral development, driving long-term economic growth and resource resilience for Utah," Wells said.
GOED did not respond to questions about what benefits Ferry’s inclusion would provide to Utah government when he’s set to leave his post in less than two weeks.
Gov. Cox nominated Jamie Barnes, who currently serves as Utah state forester and director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, as Ferry's replacement.
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