Chair called the November meeting of the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission to order and the Commission approved the October minutes before moving into program business.

Staff framed the meeting as a review of regionally ranked Outdoor Recreation Initiative (ORI) project lists and a recommended statewide funding package. Patrick (state staff) said ranking councils produced prioritized lists and the far-right column of the spreadsheet reflected each council’s recommended ORI share.

Commissioners heard presentations from regional chairs and staff about projects across the state and allowed public comment after each regional block. Northern Region co-chair Don Taylor described land-acquisition priorities including the Ozark property ($800,000 recommended) and partial funding strategies to complete shovel-ready phases. Wasatch Front presenters highlighted large infrastructure gaps at Mill Creek Canyon and a multiregional Pine View Reservoir package; the Forest Service cautioned that a proposed Mill Creek shuttle lacked demonstrated parking, financing and feasibility in its review.

Public speakers, including outfitters and county staff, urged Commission support for specific projects. US Forest Service presenter Zach Mon said the Pine View Port Ramp portion is currently estimated at about $9,100,000, with roughly $9 million in match already identified and an ORI gap request of about $3.7 million across regions.

Following discussion, commissioners moved to amend the recommended statewide list. Key procedural votes included removing the Coral Pink Sand Road Improvements project (motion passed), removing the Washington City Mill Creek Trail project from the ORI list (motion passed, one recorded 'no' vote), and removing the Mill Creek Canyon shuttle feasibility study (motion passed). The Commission also approved an increased allocation for the Kent Lake campground option, adjusting that project’s ORI share from about $1.1 million to $1,294,815 to fund the preferred option that includes site furnishings and accessibility improvements.

Commissioners debated a $200,000 allocation for a Lucerne boat-dock feasibility/planning allocation intended to help a small county advance a boat-ramp proposal. After initial voice voting and a roll call amid procedural confusion, the motion for $200,000 was recorded as passing by a 5–4 roll-call result.

With those amendments applied, the Commission approved the statewide ORI funding list as amended, committing roughly $22 million to the prioritized projects. Chair and staff thanked regional councils, ranking committees and state staff for the vetting work. The meeting closed after additional public comment and an adjournment motion.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of October minutes: adopted by voice vote.
- Remove Coral Pink Sand Road Improvements: passed (voice vote).
- Remove Washington City Mill Creek Trail from ORI list: passed (one no vote recorded).
- Remove Mill Creek Canyon shuttle feasibility study: passed (voice vote).
- Increase Kent Lake campground ORI share to $1,294,815: passed (voice vote).
- Fund Lucerne boat-dock planning/feasibility $200,000: passed by roll call, 5–4.
- Approve statewide ORI funding list as amended (total ~ $22M): passed (voice vote).

What happens next

Staff will work with awardees and federal/state partners to finalize scopes and contracts. Commissioners asked staff to return with clearer timelines and contract terms for acquisitions and partially funded projects so funds are put to use in a timely manner.

Representative quotes from the meeting include comments from a regional co-chair and federal partner: Don Taylor said the regional process allowed the Commission to "fund a certain part of their ask so they could complete a section or a phase," and USFS’s Zach Mon said the Port Ramp element "is estimated to be about $9,100,000" with substantial match already lined up.

The Commission adjourned after final public remarks.