My apologizes, i misread the question.
Thank you.
Guys
I asked a very similar question at the Port of Entry (Evanston) my last trip to the Gorge. The WGF representative that day stated that they will man the stations later on weekends and holidays to meet boater needs. I believe he said they will be open at 6 am until 8 pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for the heavy weekend traffic. Since the 4th is on Thursday this year there shouldn't be a problem. Also stated in an earlier post, there is another inspection station near the main road at Anvil Draw. WGF is really making the effort to ensure everyone needing the inspection gets accomodated. KUDOS to WGF! One thing not mentioned here yet is the fact that the inspection certificate AND the cable lock ID need to be onboard and presented to the WGF if and when checked on the Wyoming side. I really don't think you'll have any problem getting your inspection this Holiday weekend.
I can't post anything without my personal opinion so here goes. Where this body of water is shared by Wyoming and Utah I find it hard to believe that the rules aren't consistent. Burbot is a prime example. Utah law states any burbot caught must not be released back into the Gorge yet Wyoming catches and tags the species for derbies and similar events. What's up wit dat? I don't believe anyone intentionally wants to be the one responsible for the contamination of Flaming Gorge with AIS but I'm sure that not everyone fully embraces the honor system under the Utah program. Just remember to respect the laws and be safe. Good luck.
To their credit WGF has been pretty good about manning their inspection stations. They are generally there when I have gone through. I haven't had any trouble getting inspected, even though more often than not I launch in Utah anyway.
One thing Smoke, is that you only have to have your cable and certificate if you launched in WY. If you tell them you launched in Utah, then you aren't required to have them. The way the inspection law is written makes it so the only relevant action is launching, not being on the water (i.e, you can't launch a boat without an inspection). The AIS sticker law is written so as to encompass just being on the water. So as long as you have your sticker out there and you are checked by WGF and you launched in Utah, you don't need a cable/certificate.
Wyoming and Utah have always had a big male member measuring contest when it comes to stuff like this and that's why the rules aren't consistent. I believe that burbot are native to the other side of the continental divide in parts of WY and that's most likely where the fish that were illegally put in the Green River system came from. Wyoming has different rules to manage burbot since they are actually native in the state, even though invasive at the Gorge. They are not native and 100% invasive in Utah, which explains the difference there.
I think we agree that no one wants to be responsible for contaminating the Gorge and it will only be an accidental contamination if it happens. Intentional illegal stockings, such as Burbot which WGF failed to prevent before, will never be prevented. I don't see the big deal with Utah's "honor system." Unless you drive straight from Lake Mead or wherever to FG, there really isn't anything to worry about. All of the boats that leave any allegedly contaminated water in Utah are washed before they leave. I mean, how many guys this time of year are getting from a contaminated water to the Gorge in 7 days? Probably very few. The few that are fish a lot and are undoubtedly familiar with the AIS rules and know when they need to wash up and when they don't.
And, based on the inspections I've seen in WY, the honor system is probably just about as effective.
The inspections remind me of an episode of the Simpsons:
Homer: Well, there's not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol is sure doing its job.
Lisa: That's specious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, sweetie.
Lisa: Dad, what if I were to tell you that this rock keeps away tigers.
Homer: Uh-huh, and how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn't work. It's just a stupid rock.
Homer: I see.
Lisa: But you don't see any tigers around, do you?
Homer: Lisa, I'd like to buy your rock.
Only the episodes between 1990 and about 1996. A weakness of youth you might call it.
