Black Rock is a distinctive feature on the southern end of Great Salt Lake and was a valuable waypoint for travelers crossing the Great Basin on the California Trail. That trail, and Black Rock itself, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Black Rock is managed by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, which is tasked with protecting it as an important historical resource. It is illegal to construct structures on state land without a permit or to alter any historical resource. (Utah State Code 65A-3-1)
The issue is not about the flag but the flagpole that was installed into Black Rock. The division respects the desire to display the flag but needs to ensure it is done so in a proper and legal manner. This flag has generated a lot of public interest, and we appreciate the dialogue around it. We are working to find an appropriate solution while protecting the historical importance of the site.