• Utah State Parks
  • Open the Gates for OHV’s
  • BLM - Vernal Field Office
  • Ashley National Forest - Duchesne Ranger District

The Badlands committee’s goal is to expand the Badlands trail to provide more connections between the trails and the surrounding communities. The BLM and forest service have expressed interest in partnering with the trail's committees for community outreach efforts.

4.3.3.2BLM Community Outreach

The Vernal Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management has expressed interest in increasing their community outreach efforts concerning trails in Duchesne County. The BLM was consulted early in the planning process to obtain an understanding of the priorities and needs of trails on BLM land in Duchesne county and to get input on how to implement trail projects with the BLM. From those conversations, the BLM recreation specialists have expressed that they will not entertain ideas or projects from individuals in the community. They are directing individuals to take their ideas to the trail committees or government entities to vet and rank the trail projects. They will then take trail project recommendations from those committees and entities, so they know it is a community need and not just an individual wish list.

4.3.4Funding Opportunities

There are a number of funding opportunities that could be utilized within Duchesne County aside from entities self-funding trails. Numerous small grant programs exist that could be utilized to begin the process for any proposed trail or route improvements in Duchesne County. As time and resources are directed toward a specific project, grant options should be explored on a project by project basis to complete concept designs and evaluate feasibility beyond what is included in this plan.

Most often the largest implementation obstacle will be funding for construction of trails and routes. Working with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the following list of possible funding sources for large trails projects implementation has been compiled with details specific to the type of project, funding requirements and other relevant data. The project implementation plans also list which of the following funding sources may be a match for the specific project.

4.3.4.1Federal Highways – Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

  • Sponsor Eligibility: Government entity over transportation, different pools based upon population of an area
  • Match Requirements: minimum 6.75% match but may be higher
  • Availability of Funds: Competitive grant with a budget amount put into the fund each year, but rollover can affect availability. Construction projects must be over $200,000 and are generally under $500,000.
  • Application Timeline: The first week of January of each year if funds are available
  • Availability Timeline: The selection committee usually meets in February or March and then final approvals come later in the spring with funds being made available in October of the fiscal year for which funds were approved.