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Local riders seek county to sign SITLA lease for 45-mile Asphalt Ridge single-track system
Summary
Riders and county trails advocates asked the Uintah County Commission to act as the government applicant to lease SITLA land for a 45-mile motorized single-track trail system at Asphalt Ridge; commissioners approved moving forward with county-led contracting steps.
A group seeking a designated motorized single-track trail system at Asphalt Ridge asked the Uintah County Commission on Tuesday to become the applicant for a SITLA lease that would formalize roughly 45 miles of dirt-bike trails on SITLA land.
Jason Blankenagle, who identified himself as a resident of Uintah County, described the proposal as a year-to-year lease that would allow trails managers to adapt the network if a higher-and-better use later arises. Blankenagle said the effort would not cross private or BLM land, would rely on existing two-track routes in many places, and that user registration fees (collected by SITLA/OHV funds) could finance the lease.
“This would give the county the ability to be notified if one of those other leases would impede one of these trails,” Blankenagle said, describing coordination with existing grazing and mining leases.
Commissioners and staff discussed whether existing SITLA leaseholders would need to consent. County staff and the county’s land-use representatives said part of the SITLA process is outreach to other leaseholders and that SITLA retains authority to approve uses. Mike Cook and other staff said the county’s role would be to start the contract process and coordinate with SITLA and stakeholders.
Commissioners voted to support moving forward with county staff preparing to act as the government applicant for a SITLA lease and to begin drafting necessary agreements; county staff said the planned approach would mirror other SITLA leases where SITLA’s OHV fund supports lease costs and the county or user groups provide in-kind maintenance.
Proponents said maintenance would be covered by volunteer and user contributions as part of the in-kind match, and that the county trails crew could assist. No county funds were requested at the time of the request; SITLA’s OHV fund would be the primary lease revenue source.
The commission’s motion authorized county staff to proceed with the contract and outreach process rather than approving a final lease on the spot.
