The federal government owns the homes, streets and land in Dutch John, one of only two towns in small Daggett County. But that may soon change.
Worried about talk the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was thinking of abandoning Dutch John to save money, Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, and federal, state and local officials are trying to finalize a deal to turn Dutch John over to Daggett County.Orton aides say the county in turn could turn it into private housing, or even into some sort of resort to attract tourists visiting Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
"Dutch John was originally built by the federal government for workers who helped build the Flaming Gorge Dam," Orton said.
Part of it survived completion of the dam to house federal Bureau of Reclamation officials who maintain the dam and Forest Service and other federal employees who work in the area. The Forest Service owns the land, but the BOR owns most buildings.
The federal government spends about $900,000 a year to maintain Dutch John - and Orton said it is interested in turning it over to Daggett County.
But Daggett County has fewer than 1,000 residents. And Orton said it cannot afford to immediately take over its maintenance costs - especially because finding buyers for homes there and then receiving property and other taxes from them could take time.
"But we think we've worked out a compromise between the county and federal government," Orton said. "The federal government would provide $300,000 a year for 15 years to help cover interim costs" - which could still save it money.
Aides said they are still trying to work out details, but Orton hopes to introduce legislation by the end of the month to make the deal.
He presented the idea to other members of the Utah congressional delegation, who encouraged it. State representatives of federal agencies have also supported the idea, and Orton is working on final agreement with Washington officials.
Orton aides said the deal would likely give Dutch John to Daggett County, which in turn could sell homes and other buildings to interested buyers and put money in a fund to help maintain the area.
They said buyers could include government workers living there, or Flaming Gorge enthusiasts - or businessmen wanting to cater to them.
Orton aides said many lake visitors often stay outside Daggett County now, and privatization of Dutch John might create opportunities for some sort of resort to attract more people to stay there and generate funds to help the area.