Advisory council approves package of boating access investments, funds app work and multiple ramp projects

The Utah Boating Advisory Council spent the bulk of its Jan. 9 meeting evaluating 20 boating access grant applications and approved a recommended package of projects to advance to federal review. Council members prioritized ongoing projects (Boat Utah administration and tech time, Flaming Gorge operations), selected high‑use ramp extensions on the Colorado River corridor, and moved several site‑specific projects forward.

Key approvals and recommendations included:
- Funding ongoing program work: Boat Utah program administration and a year of tech time to continue inventory and development, plus Flaming Gorge operations and maintenance (motion by George Summers, second Zach Williams).
- San Rafael gauge (maintenance support) and BLM takeout extension projects for Colorado River daily runs, including Westwater, Hittlebottom and Cisco ramp/parking additions (motion by Jason Taylor; council sought BLM prioritization where agencies proposed multiple projects).
- Soldier Creek (Strawberry Reservoir) non‑motorized launch to reduce conflicts between motorized and non‑motorized users.
- Pelican Lake targeted Eurasian watermilfoil herbicide treatment with multi‑year maintenance expectations.
- Recapture Reservoir: council approved a phased approach and funded phase 1 (ramp construction) at about $450,000 to address urgent ramp needs while allowing subsequent phases to seek additional funds.
- American Fork Marina: the council agreed to fund the dock purchase ($182,500) but asked the applicant to rework large removal/installation costs.
- Utah Lake (Bridgewater): council recommended a partial award (approximately $223,000) for Phase 3 by removing line items (mast crane, NEPA/permitting, mobilization, indirect costs and some salaries) and specifying funded line items in the grant.
- Rocky Rapid ramp extension and Cisco ramp/parking were also added to the recommended list.

Staff framed the budget context: the division’s DOR/DWR shares and a rolling tally left roughly $296,000 of program coverage when combining federal and state shares. Council members repeatedly emphasized the need for clearer, prioritized project line items in multi‑project submissions (for example BLM’s packet of seven takeout projects) so the council can better target limited state match funds.

Members discussed the Boat Utah tool’s purpose and costs. Brent Walker described the tool as an early‑warning inventory to “prevent deferred maintenance” and to inform partners when facilities approach end of useful life, helping the division sequence funding. Several members noted software and ongoing maintenance costs are high for such a platform, but an online product manager on the call (Zach Williams) voiced support for the public rollout.

Why it matters: The package spreads limited state match dollars across infrastructure, operations and invasive species control, balancing motorized and non‑motorized priorities and aiming to keep high‑use ramps safe and functional for recreation and emergency response.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the recommended package for federal submission, track required line‑item conditions on partial awards, and refine application materials for next cycle to make applicants’ requested state match and project prioritization clearer.