Effective 7/1/2021
79-8-203. Award of recreation restoration infrastructure grants.
79-8-203. Award of recreation restoration infrastructure grants.
- (1) In determining the award of a recreation restoration infrastructure grant, the advisory committee shall prioritize projects that the advisory committee considers to be high demand outdoor recreation amenities or high priority trails.
- (2) The division may give special consideration to projects from qualified applicants within rural counties to ensure geographic parity of the awarded money.
- (3)
- (a) An applicant shall use a recreation restoration infrastructure grant to leverage private and other nonstate public money and the division may give priority to projects that exceed a 50% match from the applicant.
- (b) Leverage includes cash, resources, goods, or services necessary to complete a project.
- (c) The division shall apply money from a cooperative agreement entered into with the United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Department of the Interior as a portion of the applicant’s match.
- (4) A recreation restoration infrastructure grant may only be awarded by the executive director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.
- (5) A recreation restoration infrastructure grant is available for rehabilitation or restoration projects for high demand outdoor recreation amenities and high priority trails that relate directly to the visitor including:
- (a) a trail, trail head infrastructure, signage, and crossing infrastructure, for both nonmotorized and motorized recreation;
- (b) a campground or picnic area;
- (c) water recreation infrastructure, including a pier, dock, or boat ramp; and
- (d) recreation facilities that are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
- (6) The following are not eligible for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant:
- (a) general facility operations and administrative costs;
- (b) land acquisitions;
- (c) visitor facilities, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
- (d) water and utility systems; and
- (e) employee housing.
- (7) The division shall compile data and report to the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee on the:
- (a) effectiveness of the grant program in addressing the deferred maintenance and repair backlog of trails, campgrounds, and other recreation amenities on public lands;
- (b) estimated value of the rehabilitation or restoration projects;
- (c) number of miles of trails that are rehabilitated or restored; and
- (d) leverage of state money to federal and private money and in-kind services such as volunteer labor.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session