Division renews dune safety-flag rule for three designated sand-dune areas, commission advised

Staff reported that rule R651-410-1, which requires safety flags on three designated sand-dune areas, has been administratively renewed and forwarded to department-level review for another five-year period.

According to staff, the designated areas covered by the rule are Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the Little Sahara Recreation Area, and the Sand Hollow/Big Sand Mountain area in Washington County. Staff said there were no public comments during the most recent review and that the renewal did not change any operational requirements; the division notified the commission as part of its advisory role.

A commissioner asked whether the commission needed to ratify the rule change; staff replied this item was informational and that the division had already moved it forward because the renewal did not alter existing requirements.

"So our safety flags are required on 3 of our designated sand dunes," staff said, adding the division had not received public comments on the renewal and had forwarded it to the department level.

The commission did not take a formal vote on this item; staff said commissioners could ask questions but that the division would handle rule renewal under existing administrative procedures.