Land Swap Could Bring More Development At Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a popular boating water in NE Utah. It is the main attraction in a huge national recreation area where development has been limited and there are few spots offering public services.

The Utah portion of the reservoir is located in Daggett County. County commissioners there are seeking a trade involving state and federal lands to allow more development on the southern end of the lake. They are focusing on the Mustang Ridge area. A development there could enhance the public experience at the reservoir while bringing needed tax revenue into the county.

The proposal is controversial, of course, because some oppose any new development in the National Forest surrounding the reservoir.

The Deseret News has this article describing the proposal. Below are excerpts.

"The Mustang Ridge site received unanimous approval as the site having the most visual appeal and other development benefits needed to capture the attention of developers and investors," the group's report said.

The five other sites surveyed, in order of rank, were: Linwood Bay, Lucerne Valley, Red Canyon, Cedar Springs and Sheep Creek.

The proposal under consideration would involve SITLA trading out about 200 acres of its property within Forest Service boundaries in exchange for like-value land around Flaming Gorge. The state agency would then hold onto the property for lease to a private developer for the construction of a resort or other project.