Outdoor Adventure Commission approves $1.5 million for expanded planning assistance

The Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission voted to allocate a one-time $1,500,000 from the Outdoor Venture Fund to expand the Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) program.

Commissioner Terry Taylor moved to approve the allocation and Kate Bradshaw seconded; the commission approved the motion by voice vote after extended discussion of program scope, eligibility and safeguards.

Commission staff described the expansion as "an arm of the outdoor recreation initiative" intended to provide funded technical assistance — from feasibility studies and surveying to NEPA support and vendor contracting — so small cities and rural counties can develop grant-ready projects. Carly Lance, the recreation program director identified in earlier staffing changes, framed the request as a way to help communities that lack professional planning capacity. "My request is a one-time allocation of $1,500,000 to provide support for the outdoor recreation planning assistance program," she said during the presentation.

The commission and staff outlined how the program would operate: an application period, initial staff-led screening and consultations, and the ability for the division to hire or select consultants and pay invoices directly for permitted services. Eligible applicants discussed during the meeting included municipalities, counties and tribal governments; nonprofits could be eligible if they partnered with a public agency.

Members pressed staff on safeguards. Commissioners asked for requirements that applicants provide local endorsement (letters of support or formal council approval), demonstrate regional buy-in, and include long-term maintenance plans and cost estimates in any feasibility or master plan funded by ORPA. Staff said they would build those checks into the application and scoring process to reduce the risk of funding projects that lacked local support or long-term upkeep plans.

Concerns also focused on potential expectations that a planning grant would obligate the commission to fund later construction phases. Commissioners recommended the division ensure filters and quality-control review so an ORPA-funded plan does not automatically guarantee later implementation funding. Staff and commissioners agreed to treat the expansion as a trial-year initiative with a required report back to the commission on uptake, results and recommended adjustments.

Jason Curry, director of outdoor recreation, said the funds would come from the commission’s Outdoor Venture Fund; he noted the commission currently oversees a multi‑million-dollar portfolio of appropriated funds. The division will run the application round, provide oversight and return to the commission with a recap after the first year of operation.

The motion passed by voice vote; the meeting transcript records multiple commissioners answering “aye.” Chair Representative Stenquist asked staff to report back on how the money is used and on program outcomes.

What happens next: staff will finalize an application and screening process, open the application period, and bring selected applications and program performance back to the commission at a future meeting.