A proposal by Spinner Fall fly-fishing guide service and Flint Timber, a Georgia-based lumber operator and land developing company, to lease state land along the river and build an exclusive fishing lodge threatens what the Green River experience is all about, say anglers and guides.
"This is a big dream for them. I understand because I have [dreams] myself," said Denny Breer, owner of Trout Creek Flies in nearby Dutch John. "But there is a right place for development, and a public river corridor is not the right place for private domain."
Spinner Fall and Flint Timber have submitted an application to lease about 356 acres of Utah School and Institutional Lands Administration (SITLA) property for an undisclosed amount on the south side of the Green River, seven miles downstream from the dam. The area is well known to anglers who frequent the Green because it is across the water from the Little Hole Day Use Recreation Area, where boats are loaded and unloaded. Little Hole also serves as the main access point for shore anglers.
"The No. 1 reason I like that river is because of the solitude you can find there. Sure, it is the second-most-fished moving water in the state, but if you want to you can get to places and not see another soul," said Lonnie Shull, a fly fisher from Draper. "The proposed lodge puts that in jeopardy. Not to mention all the other impacts it could bring."
Spinner Fall co-owner Dudley Campbell says that if the lease is approved, a 20-person compound will be built, including a dining building and as many as 10 two-person cabins. All construction will take place well away from the river and be done with environmental and wildlife impacts taken into consideration, he says.
"You won't be able to see it from the river," Campbell said. "This won't be some huge log-style abomination. It will be a red rock-faced setup that will blend into the landscape."
Campbell says if his group gains control of the property it would spend a substantial amount of money revegetating the entire parcel, ravaged by a fire in 2003, with native plants that would end up benefitting wildlife.
The mere presence of the lodge and its surrounding buildings concerns anglers, but perhaps more of a concern is the possibility of losing shore access rights on the south side of the river near Little Hole.
"They say they will grant access to public anglers, but I want to see that in writing," Breer said. "If they own that land and things don't go as well as they hoped they might decide to change their minds and charge a private water fee."
Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) officials are concerned about development affecting important big-game wintering grounds on state land next to the proposed lease site and wonder whether development could hinder efforts to restore native Colorado River cutthroat in nearby Davenport Creek.
"We long ago identified that parcel of SITLA land as important wildlife habitat when we considered potential land swaps," said Steve Brayton, a habitat resource specialist in the DWR's northeastern region. "We would definitely be interested in further discussion with SITLA."
Brayton said as much in an official DWR response to Spinner Falls' application, which has been submitted to the governor's office for approval before being handed to SITLA officials.
Bryan Torgerson has been handling the lease application for SITLA. He says responses so far have been mixed.
"A lot of anglers are concerned foot traffic on the river would be shut off. A lot of the topography is pretty steep and there is only a couple of spots which allow walking on the shore," he said. "Those would remain the same."
Torgerson said any decision about the property is still a long way off.
"The process is really premature right now. All we are doing right now is accepting any type of ideas or proposals for the property," he said. "That could be an exchange, a purchase or whatever. It is our prudent responsibility to our beneficiaries to get the best use of the property and that is economically driven."
The trust, overseen by a seven-member board appointed by the governor, manages 3.5 million acres across the state, with the bulk of the more than $50 million in annual revenue going to public schools.
Leasing the land for a lofty sum might be good for SITLA, but shop owner Breer is concerned about businesses in Dutch John, some already hurting with the poor economy, catering to anglers. Flaming Gorge Lodge, which provides mid-range rooms, food, guided services and a shop for anglers, has already declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
"If they want to build there I'm pretty sure I can't stop them, but there is another option. The Dutch John plan has identified a site within a half mile of town for exactly the kind of development they are talking about," Breer said. "It's an ideal place for what they have in mind and it does not involve taking over a piece of the river. They want something exclusive for themselves, but they are taking away something from the public and there is huge potential for backlash."
brettp@sltrib.com
Written comments about a proposed lodge or competing plans for a 356-acre Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands parcel on the Green River across from the Little Hole Day Use Recreation Area should be submitted to Trust Lands Administration, 217 E. Center St., Suite 230, Moab, Utah, 84532. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Nov. 14. Those interested can also call 435-259-7417 to voice an opinion or interest in the land.
