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State OHV manager urges counties to 'join, participate and donate' to preserve trails; highlights grants and RS 2477 claims
Summary
Wade Allison, Utah State OHV manager, told the commission grants and volunteer clubs are central to trail maintenance, urged counties to exercise RS 2477 claims for historic routes and promoted grant cycles and the Outdoor Recreation Initiative as funding sources.
Wade Allison, the Utah State OHV program manager, told the San Juan County Commission that clubs, volunteer jamborees and grant funding are essential to maintaining off-highway-vehicle (OHV) access and that counties should press ownership claims where appropriate.
Allison, who said he accepted the job in May, told commissioners the OHV program has awarded significant grant funds to San Juan County over the years and that volunteer clubs are critical for on-the-ground maintenance. "Join, participate, and donate," Allison said repeatedly as a three‑word framework for sustaining trails.
Nut graf: Allison recommended local leaders pursue OHV grants, organized volunteerism and RS 2477 claims for historic corridors such as Hole-in-the-Rock; he also flagged the federal Outdoor Recreation Initiative (ORI) as a separate source of larger grants for land acquisition, trailheads and recreation infrastructure.
Allison said San Juan County already holds useful RS 2477 claims and encouraged the county to exercise those rights. He noted recent federal court wins supporting route claims, and he said the ORI grant application window opens in January for larger, multimillion-dollar projects. "These trails are important to all of us and... they're part of our history," he said.
Commissioners asked about balancing single-track motorcycle trails with wider ATV or multi‑use corridors; Allison said preserving access is the priority while local stakeholders negotiate detailed classifications. He offered to provide contact information for grant cycles and to work directly with local clubs and landowners on project planning.
Ending: Allison left contact information for county staff; commissioners thanked him and discussed following up on grant timing and local club coordination.
