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Two access‑protection/education grant proposals tabled for revision; council asks for budgets that separate program costs from overhead
Summary
Council asked Utah Public Lands Alliance and Tread Lightly to refine grant applications after concerns surfaced about administrative or overhead expenses and precise budgeting; both groups were encouraged to work with staff to reapply in the next cycle.
Two grant applications that sought funding for access protection and education work were discussed May 23 and sent back for revision after council members and legal staff raised questions about how proposed personnel and administrative costs would be allocated against the OHV restricted account’s allowable expenses.
Utah Public Lands Alliance (UPLA) asked for funding to hire an executive director to coordinate statewide access protection and volunteer engagement. Staff and counsel noted the OHV access‑protection rule includes a prohibition on paying general overhead that is not directly advancing OHV access protection work; the advisory council asked UPLA to clarify how the proposed position’s time would be dedicated to OHV matters, how match funds were committed and whether deliverables and a time‑and‑task log could be provided so the grant‑funded salary is demonstrably tied to OHV work.
Tread Lightly requested funds to support a Utah program manager who runs stewardship and field education for motorized ethics and volunteer projects (the contractor is already partially funded by private industry partners). Staff requested clearer budget detail showing whether line items purchase direct project delivery (kiosk materials, volunteer coordination, field crew time) versus administrative or national‑office design/communications services, and suggested Tread Lightly work with staff to reduce ambiguity and demonstrate OHV‑specific deliverables.
Both applicants were told they could revise their budgets and reapply; Tread Lightly representatives said they will work with staff to incorporate agency matching and to identify whether federal partners will contribute salary support. UPLA said it will increase its cash match and meet with staff to refine the scope so that proposed executive director tasks are clearly OHV‑focused and logged.
Why it matters: The OHV grant rules restrict use of restricted‑account dollars to purposes that advance OHV access, safety or stewardship. The council emphasized the need to show a close, auditable connection between grant dollars and OHV outcomes — especially for salaries and administrative costs — and recommended applicants work with staff and counsel before re‑submitting.
Next steps: Staff will meet with both applicants to help them revise budgets and scopes; both groups were invited to reapply in the next grant cycle and to supply deliverables, time sheets and matching commitments. The council asked staff to prepare guidance on how personnel costs may be structured to meet administrative‑rule limitations.
