If you're not going to buy the land from the owners you cannot claim ownership or damages.

It seems to me that the people that have been using the salt flats for many years should have some 'skin in the game' as well...

If the government actually ponies up 5 or 50 million bucks to "restore" the flats. I want assurance that nobody will race there OR collect and sell salt for the winter roads.

This is a problem for who exactly?

BE KIND - TO THE BRINE

Now if they can build a pipe from coastal desalination plants and discharge into the flats? Erm

"This is a problem for whom exactly?"

Answer: YOU, the American tax payer.

Insert 'doh!' here

Doh! It seems someone wants lots of doh for a project that is well over priced. Some countries have that amount of money to run on.

Trim costs by making the project 'suitable for purpose' rather than a 5 star resort with a 3 year life span. It is only a salt pan after all, that has no strategic value, or real monetary value. It is 30 000 acres of 90% common table salt. I am sure $50m of tax payers money could be far better spent on something worthy. Hmm! Maybe not!