The OHP Advisory Council voted April 23 to approve the spring 2025 round of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) motorized awards and a slate of OHP restricted‑account grants after applicant presentations and discussion.

RTP motorized awards: Council members approved the top RTP motorized projects that were presented for in‑person discussion. The highest‑scoring motorized projects recommended for award included the Utah Avalanche Center’s kiosk and forecasting expansion, BLM Moab’s motorized trailhead mapping and marking project, and Southern Utah University’s Dixie National Forest youth conservation crew proposal. The council also discussed lower‑scoring projects and, after deliberation, made awards consistent with the staff recommendation.

OHP restricted‑account grants: The council considered a long list of OHP grant applications and, following applicant presentations and staff clarification, approved 32 projects across categories that included trail maintenance, search and rescue equipment, volunteer coordination, events and education. Notable approvals included:
- Wayne County trail system and connectivity projects
- San Juan County trail maintenance and road repair
- Red Rock‑area ride events and marketing (event giveaways reduced at council request)
- Several county search and rescue snowmobile purchases and equipment grants (some awards were reduced to align with state flat‑rate guidance)
- SUU and other organizations for crew and training work on the Dixie National Forest

The council asked staff to provide clearer documentation on sources of match and on procurement where applicants reported high per‑unit costs. On several items the council reduced or conditioned funding where applicants requested items that might set a program precedent (for example, event “swag” and unusually‑specified vehicle purchases) and asked applicants to seek dealer discounts or amend applications where appropriate.

Votes at a glance: The council’s votes were recorded for each application presented at the meeting (most votes were unanimous voice votes or unanimous roll calls). The council approved the meeting minutes for Aug. 23, 2024, and approved the RTP and OHP awards described above. A handful of applications were tabled for additional coordination with land managers or for additional documentation.

Why it matters: The awards will fund trail crews, route and trailhead improvements, volunteer capacity, youth conservation crews, search and rescue capacity and community outreach in multiple Utah counties. Council members requested follow‑up on award terms and on future coordination between applicants and federal land managers.

What comes next: Division staff will finalize grant contracts, distribute award notices and schedule required follow‑up documentation and site checks. The council asked DOR staff to return with additional financial breakdowns when requested by the public or by council members.

Speakers: Division staff (Rachel Toker, Evan Beitsch and others) presented grant summaries; applicants presented projects; council members moved and seconded motions and voted.

Note: This article summarizes multiple awards and formal votes taken during the meeting. Detailed, item‑level outcomes and recorded vote notations are available in the meeting minutes and in the Division’s awards documentation.