The ones who put it in writing.
Park managers, public agencies, and community leaders who reviewed our mission and signed their names behind it. These are their letters, in their words, on their letterhead.
Signed, sealed, on the record.
Every letter below is a real document from a real official, scanned exactly as it was signed. Open the transcript to read it, or view the original scan in full screen.
Stephen Studebaker
“We enthusiastically welcome Fathom Restoration’s efforts to engage Utah’s veteran community in meaningful conservation work at our facility.”
Stephen Studebaker
Park Manager
Deer Creek State Park
Date: May 29, 2026
To: Grant Selection Committee (NEEF)
1150 18th Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Subject: Letter of Support for Fathom Restoration — “Veterans Restore Deer Creek” Project
Dear Members of the Selection Committee,
On behalf of Deer Creek State Park, I am pleased to provide this formal letter of support for Fathom Restoration’s application for the NEEF 2026 Veterans and Nature Grant.
About Deer Creek State Park
Deer Creek State Park is a premier Utah State Park and vital public recreational waterway located in Wasatch County, Utah. Managed by the Utah Division of State Parks, the reservoir encompasses approximately 3,500 surface acres and provides essential culinary water to nearly 2 million residents. In addition, access for boating, fishing, camping, and a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Preserving the environmental integrity of this heavily utilized natural resource is a top priority for our division.
Aligned Mission and Impact
Fathom Restoration (EIN: 42-2166469) is a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission to clean, restore, and protect Utah’s waterways directly complements our own conservation goals. We are fully supportive of their proposed program, “Veterans Restore Deer Creek.” This initiative will bring structured conservation events to Deer Creek, engaging volunteer divers and surface teams in critical underwater and shoreline cleanup operations. Additionally, the program’s focus on environmental education will foster community awareness regarding the long-term importance of waterway conservation.
Commitment to Collaboration
This project perfectly aligns with our park’s commitment to public access, environmental stewardship, and community benefit. We enthusiastically welcome Fathom Restoration’s efforts to engage Utah’s veteran community in meaningful conservation work at our facility.
I fully support this application for NEEF grant funding and look forward to coordinating closely with the Fathom Restoration team as the program develops.
Sincerely,
Stephen Studebaker
Park Manager, Deer Creek State Park · Utah Division of State Parks
Transcribed from the signed original. Use “View Letter” to see the scan.
In addition to being an environmental hazard, abandoned submerged vessels are also a recreation hazard. With Utah Lake’s naturally shallow levels, averaging about 10 feet deep when full, abandoned vessels create hidden underwater obstacles and a boating and water safety hazard. We feel it’s important that these vessels be removed, for both the environmental benefit and the improvement to boating safety.
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