Uintah County commissioners on Dec. 3 approved a $24,900 professional engineering services agreement with Sunrise Engineering to perform cultural, biological and other environmental clearances for the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata project as required by the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant.

"The service fee is $24,900 and Access Utah has agreed to pay that so the county will not be paying this invoice and it's still being funded completely by 2 grants and our partner Access Utah," Jenny Bird, purchasing and grants coordinator, told the commission.

Why it matters: the surveys and review are federal grant requirements attached to RTP funding for the Ashley Gorge project. The county will not carry the $24,900 invoice because partner organizations have committed to cover the cost.

Details: Bird described the scope the county is hiring Sunrise Engineering to perform: cultural surveys, biological surveys, an evaluation report, a hazardous waste review and other environmental factors per RTP guidelines. Bird said the Utah Outdoor Education Outdoor Access Fund submitted a letter committing to pay Sunrise Engineering for the proposed cultural and biological surveys.

Public questions and context: during public comment, a resident asked whether Sunrise Engineering is surveying for a path from Mazer Cemetery to the Kids Canal; county staff clarified the work is part of the RTP-funded Ashley Gorge project and that the engineering firm will determine whether categorical exclusions apply or whether surveys are required under federal rules.

Outcome: commissioners approved the agreement; county staff will proceed with Sunrise Engineering performing environmental clearances funded by partner grants and Access Utah.