Outdoor Adventure Commission narrows priority list, approves feasibility study and multiple land projects

The Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission on an overnight meeting advanced a slate of funding recommendations to steer the use of its restricted Outdoor Adventure Fund, approving a mix of feasibility work, land acquisition support and campground and trail improvements.

Commissioners voted to include a professional feasibility study for the Wasatch Mountain Long Distance Trail on the commission's prioritized list and approved a package of land and recreation projects including partial awards and shovel-ready campground support. The commission recorded several roll-call and voice votes during the session as members weighed project match ratios, overlapping federal funding and statutory eligibility for planning and NEPA work.

Why it matters: the panel's recommendations will inform the legislature's allocations from the Outdoor Adventure restricted account. Commissioners noted a preference for projects with existing match or those that are shovel ready, while also setting aside some funding for smaller or high-impact items across the state.

Key decisions at a glance (as acted in the meeting):
- Wasatch Mountain Trail feasibility study: approved for prioritization (staff estimate ~ $111,000). (motion passed by voice vote)

- Sherman Hills (Wellsville City): commission approved a request to secure access and preservation of trailheads; the commission discussed a $2,000,000 ask and voted to approve the project (final roll call reported in the meeting at 6 yes, 5 no).

- Beaver County (Puffer Lake): the commission approved a partial award of $3.5 million toward Beaver County's request to acquire ~589.4 acres and associated water rights; commissioners noted the county's $1M contribution and discussions with federal partners on shared stewardship.

- Zion Regional Collaborative ' Guacamole Trail (NEPA/design): approved (~$182,000) to help formalize a heavily used social trail.

- A subset of BLM projects (House on Fire, McCoy Flats campground, Calf Creek improvements) were approved in a focused motion to fund shovel-ready, modest-dollar projects.

- Colorado River Parkway: commissioners approved a motion to allocate $2.5 million toward completion of the paved pathway (roll call reported 7 yes, 3 no, one abstention reported in the transcript).

What the commission said: members repeatedly raised three shared concerns: (1) ensuring matching funds and federal partners are committed before the state disperses money, (2) how to balance funding between urgent acquisitions and smaller shovel-ready projects, and (3) whether the statutory definition of 'outdoor recreation infrastructure' should be clarified to explicitly allow planning or NEPA funding (staff and the assistant attorney general noted a possible code amendment might be needed to broaden eligible uses).

Next steps: these votes create the commission's recommended prioritization and fiscal requests for the legislature and constitute conditional commitments; staff will follow up with applicants for documentation of local matches, environmental steps, and enforceable conditions before funds are disbursed.

Votes and procedural note: where roll-call tallies were read aloud in the meeting we report them as recorded; some votes were taken by voice. If applicants or legislators require an exact certified roll-call transcript for appropriation language, staff indicated they will provide it.