Motorized Trails committee to pursue RTP and partner grants for signs, fencing and equipment

On Jan. 15 the Grand County Motorized Trails Committee agreed to prioritize several grant applications to fund motorized trail maintenance and visitor engagement work, including signs, fencing, trail counters, project planning and heavy-equipment needs.

"There are a variety of grants out there we can submit to, most are due in March and April," Chair Clif Koontz said. Committee members listed items that need funding: trail counters, signs, materials, fencing, paint, more project planning, maintenance of heavy equipment and equipment operators.

Madeline Logowitz, representing GCATT, clarified how grant programs have been used in the past: "BLM grants typically cover BLM labor and materials." Based on that division of eligible costs, members discussed leveraging multiple agencies and partners to put together applications that pair on-the-ground project leadership with grant-eligible labor and materials.

Anna Sprout of Steward Moab said the new nonprofit will not apply to the motorized RTP grant and described staffing and volunteer work under development, including a Motorized Ambassador model. Jason James of Portal Offroad Tours asked "about incentives and benefits for volunteers and what role local clubs can play in supporting the program," and members agreed to meet to discuss volunteer incentives and club participation.

Keltain Reece-Sullivan described an ArcGIS field-mapping tool he is developing with two interfaces — one for land managers and one for trained data collectors — to collect photos, GPS points and issue descriptions. Keltain will compile a master list of "shovel-ready" projects to inform grant applications.

Carson Trader, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, said the state will likely not operate a second crew this year but expects to have more state employees based in Moab; "their funds are for salaries and some tools, not materials," he said, and members raised housing and storage as needs if crews and grant-funded materials are staged locally.

The committee agreed that GCATT will submit an RTP application for sign and fencing materials with Keltain coordinating the submission; Ride with Respect will apply for RTP funds for more project planning and heavy-equipment work with Clif coordinating. Draft letters of support and draft proposals are to be presented to the MTC at the February 2026 meeting.

Next steps: applicants will finalize drafts for the February meeting and aim to submit to RTP and partner grant programs in March–April.