Commission to send letters to federal and state officials after Flaming Gorge visitor-center delays

Commissioners discussed a pressing tourism concern at the May 12 Daggett County meeting after a nonprofit that operates the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center delayed its planned reopening. An attendee (Unidentified Speaker 5) told the commission the nonprofit "put all their stuff in there" and that it "was supposed to open on April 15" but has "put everything on hold." The speaker said the visitor center typically draws "around 600 to 800 people" per day and provides visitor guidance on places to eat and see in Daggett County.

Commissioners and attendees described the center as critical to summer visitation and local businesses: one commissioner warned that without someone at the dam "they're gonna think, well, there's nothing else left here to see" and visitors may return to Vernal rather than continuing through the county. The commission agreed to prepare letters of support from the commission and from economic development/tourism partners and to seek backing from the county's federal and state delegation (the chair said he would call "Sen. Curtis's office and Sen. Lee's office" and "Representative Kennedy's office"). Staff and volunteers discussed contacting the Bureau of Reclamation and local businesses to gather more information.

Why this matters: The visitor center is a primary way visitors learn about local services, attractions and businesses. Its closure or reduced staffing during the peak summer season could reduce visitor spending at county businesses and diminish the county's ability to guide traffic to other attractions.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff (Peggy and Jordan were named as helpers) to draft letters and to use available contacts at the Bureau of Reclamation to clarify what types of operator arrangements or tiers the federal agency will accept. The commission committed to follow up, and staff said they will reach out to the office of the dam's maintenance supervisor to learn more.