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Lincoln County approves Byway Adventures tour agreement amid sheriff's concerns over Area 51 perimeter visits
Summary
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved a one‑year agreement with Byway Adventures to run guided tours on certain county properties, setting a 1:10 participant-to-guide ratio, fee terms and a $1 million liability requirement after debate that included sheriff concerns about private tours near the Area 51 perimeter.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved an agreement with Byway Adventures that allows guided tours on designated county‑owned properties while placing limits on group size, fees and insurance.
Cory Lytle, Planning/Building director, presented a redline version of the contract and said the county and the vendor had negotiated fee language and operational safeguards. Commissioners discussed whether fees should be per person or per group and whether the agreement should be longer than one year. The board settled on a one‑year term with a built‑in review clause and approved a 1:10 participant‑to‑guide ratio and a fee schedule to be memorialized in the final contract. Michael Collins, identified in the meeting as the organizer working with Byway Adventures, told the board he would secure a $1 million liability policy naming the county and the town as insured parties.
The agreement drew public‑safety concerns from Sheriff Derek Foremaster, who said increased promotion of perimeter access near the test site has led to more traffic accidents and that the sheriff's office would not advocate county involvement in tours at the test site. "I can’t be an advocate for the county being involved in tourism at the test site," Foremaster said, citing patrol responsibilities and perimeter security. Jessica Hernandez of LC Tourism (LCAT) responded that Lincoln County did not currently operate tours to the perimeter; she said private companies from Las Vegas run visits two to three times per week and that the recent activity described to the board had been a limited safety and legality test.
District Attorney April Bradshaw and other commissioners said the board could limit group sizes and revisit the agreement if operational problems arise. The board voted to approve the agreement, including the redlines, fee schedule, the participant agreement and the 1:10 ratio.
The contract includes an explicit county right to revoke use of county buildings, a clause allowing either party to seek contract review, and the insurance requirement. The board asked staff to finalize language on the fee schedule and operational details and to return if substantial adjustments are requested.
Chair Janine Woodworth described the approval as a cautious step to support low‑impact tourism while retaining county control: the one‑year term and review clause will give the commissioners a chance to assess how tours affect county properties and services.
Next steps: staff will finalize contract language and incorporate the agreed fee and ratio provisions; the agreement will be effective for one year subject to earlier revocation or review by either party.
