Residents and county discuss Dutch John airport hangars; RDA funds and layout plan on table

Don and Jackie Weaver, Dutch John residents, asked the Daggett County Commission on Sept. 23 for an update on private hangar construction and airport management at the Dutch John airport.

County officials said an updated airport layout plan exists and that renewed conversations are under way with the county's airport engineer, the mayor of Dutch John and the airport manager in Vernal, who has expressed interest in assisting county efforts to grow both county airports.

Staff told the Weavers that if there is demonstrated interest from hangar lessees, the county could pursue infrastructure work to support hangar development and that RDA funds (redevelopment funds discussed earlier in the meeting) might be a source to help bring utilities or other infrastructure to airport parcels in the short term. Staff also offered to provide the Weavers a link to the airport layout plan and suggested a temporary, movable shelter could be a near-term option while longer-term hangar plans develop.

The Weavers said they spend about six months a year in the area, have aviation backgrounds and would be willing to help move planning forward. County staff recorded the residents' contact information and said they would follow up with the layout plan and next steps. No formal decision or funding allocation was made at the meeting; county staff described the conversation as exploratory and contingent on confirmed lessee interest and further meetings with engineers and partners.