Commission reviews statewide Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan; members plan outreach and launch events

Utah State University representatives presented the final draft of a statewide Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan and described the research and public engagement behind it, including 14 workshops, an asset inventory and a statewide needs assessment. Presenters said the plan is intended as a cross‑agency roadmap rather than the operating plan of any single agency.

USU emphasized that the short, 36‑page summary sits atop several hundred pages of supporting analysis and that the Division’s website will host the plan, the extended reports and a short video prepared for public outreach. Commissioners asked that supporting datasets and technical appendices be easily accessible online and were told those materials will be posted.

Discussion among commissioners centered on implementation: measuring impacts against the plan’s four "cardinal directions," forming regional councils to coordinate projects, avoiding duplication and ensuring equity across rural regions. Commissioners proposed mapping tools (heat maps/Tableau) to visualize distribution of funding and projects, suggested recording November presentations for members who cannot attend in person, and recommended several avenues for public launch — a media event, a day on the hill, and conference presentations timed with tourism and county conferences.

Presenters acknowledged a few minor editorial tweaks remain before final publication and thanked the USU production team (including video specialist Liz Soget and data contributors) for their work. The commission did not take final approval at this meeting; members signaled they may finalize the plan at a subsequent meeting after digesting the last edits.

Next steps: staff will post supporting materials online, schedule project presentations for November–January, explore multiple launch events and reserve a future meeting for final approval.