Division staff updated the commission on several commission-funded projects and a separately funded statewide trail effort.

North Wash Boat Ramp (Cataract Canyon/Bullfrog): staff said preliminary engineering revealed the contractor needs about $150,000 more than the commission appropriation to complete a planned boat-ramp fix at the Cataract Canyon takeout, a long-standing issue affecting guides and outfitters. Division staff said they have negotiated an agreement with the National Park Service (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) and are selecting a contractor; staff plan to seek the additional money at a future meeting. The Division described the site as a long-standing, cross-unit Park Service management issue that had limited prior federal attention.

5 Mile Pass (Tooele County, BLM): the division said design and engineering work for staging, parking and equestrian facilities is underway; the division contracted to help run the RFP process. Selection of a contractor was paused because of the federal government shutdown and a lack of available BLM staff to complete procurement tasks. Staff said contractors were aware work was on hold and will resume once federal staff and purchasing functions are available.

Guacamole Mesa (Washington County, BLM adjacent to private land): staff said the trails are largely user-created and “spiderwebby,” creating visitor confusion and safety concerns; environmental review and NEPA-related work is planned and a contractor (Jones & DeMille) has been selected, but progress is paused due to the federal shutdown. The division said the work will enable safer trail designation, reduce trespass on adjacent private property, and allow placement of supporting infrastructure where appropriate.

High Desert Trail (seven western counties): the statewide trails program manager briefed commissioners on an ongoing project to formalize a 700+-mile routing using existing roads and trails to create a through-route along Utah’s west desert. The project uses a 2022 legislative appropriation of $1,000,000 for environmental route assessment and route management work. Staff said the route is largely passable now but not formally designated; the NEPA environmental assessment and a signage/wayfinding plan are underway with contractor SWCA, and the project team is preparing an MOU for long-term partner management. Staff said formal designation and signage are expected to reduce search-and-rescue incidents by improving route finding and by concentrating use near established staging areas and towns.

Why it matters: the projects affect recreation safety, local outfitters and rural economies. The North Wash boat ramp work is described as a priority for guides and the region; High Desert Trail seeks to boost rural tourism while addressing safety and management concerns.

No formal votes were taken during these project updates; staff said some projects will require future contract or budget amendments and will return to the commission for action when necessary.