Advisory committee approves proposed recreational-trails grants totaling about $942,900 for nonmotorized projects

The Recreation Trails Program advisory committee voted to approve the slate of recreational-trails program (RTP) grants presented by staff, endorsing the subcommittee’s recommendations and moving 15 nonmotorized projects forward with recommended awards totaling $942,872.

Evan Beich, who identified himself as the administrator for the recreational trails program and federal grants, summarized the application and scoring process and told the committee that the RTP process currently routes project scores through two subcommittees and to UDOT before coming to the committee for final approval. "This may be the last time this committee approves these projects," Beich said, noting a staff review of the code and authorization for the approval flow.

A member moved to approve the grants as reviewed by the subcommittee; Aaron (speaker 2) seconded. After brief clarification from Beich that applicants must disclose other sources of funding and that duplicate expense lines are not permitted, the chair called the question. Nine participants voiced their support and the motion passed.

Beich and other staff explained the scale and focus of funded work: the RTP received 44 applications across motorized and nonmotorized categories this cycle, proposed 24 awards in total (15 nonmotorized), and estimated roughly $1.8 million in total awards across both categories with nonmotorized awards recommended at $942,872 against total project costs of just over $3,000,000. Staff highlighted that the program often funds equipment, signage and trail maintenance and that about 5% of the RTP budget is allocated to education projects.

Committee members also pressed staff on process and duplication. Beich said the application requires applicants to list other grants (for example, state and federal matches) and that scoring considers how funds interact; staff stated they do not allow duplicate expense lines, although matching across programs is encouraged.

After the vote, members asked staff to summarize whether the committee would continue to provide final approvals. Staff said the Office of Outdoor Recreation’s merger into DNR and the projects’ route to the Utah Department of Transportation raise questions about the committee’s continuing legal or administrative role. Staff are consulting their attorney-general representative and said they will report back on whether final committee approval remains necessary.

The committee moved on after the vote; staff said members interested in more detailed scoring work remain invited to participate on the volunteer subcommittee that evaluates project applications.