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Commission urges letters to keep Flaming Gorge Dam visitor center open after federal staffing changes
Summary
County staff and commissioners agreed to draft letters and contact federal and state lawmakers to urge reopening or support for the Flaming Gorge Dam visitor center, citing its importance to local tourism.
Commissioners and county staff discussed concerns that the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center may remain closed after federal changes in staffing and budget cuts. County staff described the visitor center as a key source of tourism information and local economic benefit, telling the commission the site typically fields “around 600 to 800 people” a day and directs visitors to county businesses and sites.
Lorinda (county staff) said the nonprofit that historically stocked the center and ran sales is not the tier of nonprofit the federal operator now prefers and that planned openings were put on hold. She asked the commission to consider writing letters of support and rallying local businesses and the county’s federal and state delegation to advocate for staffing or another acceptable operator.
Commissioners agreed to pursue letters from the commission and economic-development and tourism partners, and to contact the offices of U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, U.S. Sen. Mike (Curtis was named in the discussion), and Rep. Kennedy (first name not specified) to seek assistance and additional information. County staff said they will contact the Bureau of Reclamation staff who now oversee some of the dam operations to clarify what type of organization the federal agency would accept as an in-house operator.
The meeting record shows no formal vote on the matter; commissioners directed staff to draft letters and pursue contacts and to work with local businesses and tourism partners to increase support.
