Outdoor Recreation Initiative: $38 million outlook, regional councils and prioritization plan

Staff lead Patrick provided a substantive update on the Outdoor Recreation Initiative (ORI), describing program goals, eligibility priorities and a timeline for project solicitation, prioritization and funding.

Patrick said ORI is built on language in House Bill 224 and funded through the Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure restricted account. He reported that the solicitation produced more than 50 project interest forms and said the program has roughly $19,000,000 available now and a second $19,000,000 expected with the new fiscal year: “we have 19,000,000 available plus another 19,000,000,” he said. The Division will prioritize large, shovel‑ready projects, address gaps such as planning and NEPA needs, and encourage cross‑jurisdictional projects while asking applicants to include realistic budgets and, where appropriate, contingency planning.

Patrick described a plan to form five Regional Recreation Councils modeled in part on the Watershed Restoration Initiative. Those councils would meet quarterly, help identify and rank projects for their region, and feed recommended projects to the commission for approval. Patrick said the Division can fund certain grant types up to roughly $150,000; larger capital projects will be handled through the ORI prioritization and legislative appropriation process. Commissioners asked about project maximums, overlap with TIP/TA (transportation) funding and how the program would avoid geographic concentration; staff said mapping tools and regional input will be used during ranking to spread investment.

Commissioners recommended recording November presentations for members with scheduling conflicts and suggested a January meeting be reserved as the formal approval window. Patrick said after commission approval the Division will seek appropriation during the general session and then proceed with contracting in the April–July window.

Next steps: staff will schedule project presentations in November–January, circulate presentation briefs and prioritization criteria, and report back to the commission as the ORI moves toward formal approvals and legislative appropriation.