• Public comments in favor or against: For trails that received positive comments supporting the trail, 1 point was awarded. For trails receiving negative comments, 1 point was subtracted.
• Stakeholder/organization support: Trails proposed by or supported by a stakeholder group or organization were awarded 1 point for each group or organization supporting it.

The priority grading for feasibility falls under the following categories:

• Safety: For trail projects that provide a safer path of travel for users, 1 point is awarded. For trail projects that provide a safe route to schools, 1 point is awarded.
• Environmental: If there are any potential environmental issues along the proposed trail such as threatened species or water way crossings, 1 point was subtracted from the trail grade.
• Land Use/Right of Way: Land use is mixed along most trails and coordinating between the landowners and the right of ways can add complexity and cost to any proposed trail project. This grade was given under the following guidelines:
  • If private or tribal land is crossed, subtract 2 points per parcel
  • Subtract 1 point for every other land ownership type (BLM, SITLA, State Parks, etc.)
  • Up to 4 total points subtracted.
  • Trails that would be exclusively within existing secured county or city ROW’s would only have 1 point subtracted since permission would only need to be obtained from the city or county.
• Construction Cost: grade was given based on trail length and surface type. 1 point was subtracted for every $100,000 the trail would cost to construct.
• Funding potential: 1 point was awarded for every funding source available to fund the trail up to 3 points max.

All trails were individually graded to prioritize the trails from highest to lowest. The top ten graded trails for each category have been extracted and are listed in the priority projects section.

6.2County Wide Recommendations

In the course of reviewing the existing policies of entities in Duchesne County, observing current conditions, reviewing best practices concerning trails in other communities and considering public comments, the following recommendations/suggestions are made in an effort to assist trail and routes efforts in Duchesne County. Any or all of these recommendations being implemented will result in an increase and improvement in trails and safe routes for alternative transportation in Duchesne County.

6.2.1Concept and Policy Recommendations

6.2.1.1Land Use, Code Planning and Ordinance Suggestions

While reviewing developments or subdivision proposals, it is recommended the Planning Commission reference this plan to identify opportunities to develop trails within new developments. This plan should act as a guide to help develop routes as the county grows in population. Additionally, the county land use codes could be amended to require that new developments within the county mitigate community impacts by funding proposed trail projects near their developments. It is important that the members of these committee’s and boards be mindful of the trails projects in this plan as they work to approve development within the county or cities.