79-8 - Outdoor Recreation Grants
Title 79 > 79-8
Sections (12)
General Provisions
79-8-101 - Title.
This chapter is known as “Outdoor Recreation Grants.”
Enacted by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session
79-8-102 - Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Accessible to the general public” in relation to the awarding of an infrastructure grant, means: the public may use the infrastructure in accordance with federal and state regulations; andno community or group retains exclusive rights to access the infrastructure.
(2) “Advisory committee” means the Utah Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory Committee created in Section 79-7-206.
(3) “Children,” in relation to the awarding of a UCORE grant, means individuals who are six years old or older and 18 years old or younger.
(4) “Director” means the director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
(5) “Division” means the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
(6) “Executive director” means the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources.
(7) “Infrastructure grant” means an outdoor recreational infrastructure grant described in Section 79-8-401.
(8) “Recreational infrastructure project” means an undertaking to build or improve an approved facility or installation needed for the public to access and enjoy the state’s outdoors.”Recreational infrastructure project” may include the:establishment, construction, or renovation of a trail, trail infrastructure, or a trail facility;construction of a project for a water-related outdoor recreational activity;development of a project for a wildlife watching opportunity, including bird watching;development of a project that provides a winter recreation amenity;construction or improvement of a community park that has an amenity for outdoor recreation; andconstruction or improvement of a naturalistic and accessible playground.
(9) “UCORE grant” means a children’s outdoor recreation and education grant described in Section 79-8-302.
(10) “Underserved community” means a group of people, including a municipality, county, or American Indian tribe, that is economically disadvantaged.”Underserved community” includes an economically disadvantaged community where in relation to awarding a UCORE grant, the children of the community, including children with disabilities, have limited access to outdoor recreation or education programs.
Amended by Chapter 68, 2022 General Session
79-8-103 - Outdoor recreation grants.
To the extent money is available, the division shall administer outdoor recreation grants for the state, including grants that address:
(1) outdoor recreation in general;
(2) recreational trails;
(3) off-highway vehicle incentives;
(4) boat access and clean vessels;
(5) land, water, and conservation;
(6) outdoor recreation programming; and
(7) maintenance projects related to the above allowable uses.
Amended by Chapter 183, 2023 General Session
79-8-106 - Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Account — Uses — Costs.
(1) There is created an expendable special revenue fund known as the “Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Account,” which the division shall use to fund: the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program created in Section 79-8-401;the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program created in Section 79-8-202; andthe Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education Grant Program created in Section 79-8-302.
(2) The account consists of: distributions to the account under Section 59-28-103;interest earned on the account;appropriations made by the Legislature;money from a cooperative agreement entered into with the United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Department of the Interior; andprivate donations, grants, gifts, bequests, or money made available from any other source to implement this part.
(3) The division shall, with the advice of the advisory committee, administer the account.
(4) The cost of administering the account shall be paid from money in the account.
(5) Interest accrued from investment of money in the account shall remain in the account.
Amended by Chapter 183, 2023 General Session
Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program
79-8-201 - Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) “Grant program” means the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program created in Section 79-8-202.
(2) “High demand outdoor recreation amenity” means infrastructure necessary for a campground, picnic area, or water recreation structure such as a dock, pier, or boat ramp that receives or has received heavy use by the public.
(3) “High priority trail” means a motorized or nonmotorized recreation summer-use trail and related infrastructure that is prioritized by the advisory committee for restoration or rehabilitation to maintain usability and sustainability of trails that receive or have received high use by the public.
(4) “Public lands” includes local, state, and federal lands.
(5) “Rehabilitation or restoration” means returning an outdoor recreation structure or trail that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed to its previously useful state by means of repair, modification, or alteration.
Amended by Chapter 68, 2022 General Session
79-8-202 - Creation of grant program.
(1) There is created the “Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program” administered by the division.Subject to Subsection (1)(c), 15% of the unencumbered amount in the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Account, created in Section 79-8-106, at the beginning of each fiscal year may be used for the grant program.The percentage outlined in Subsection (1)(b) may be increased or decreased at the beginning of a fiscal year if approved by the executive director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.
(2) The division may seek to accomplish the following objectives in administering the grant program: rehabilitate or restore high priority trails for both motorized and nonmotorized uses;rehabilitate or restore high demand recreation areas on public lands; andencourage the public land entities to engage with volunteer groups to aid with portions of needed trail work.
(3) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the division shall make rules, after consulting with the advisory committee, establishing the eligibility and reporting criteria for an entity to receive a recreation restoration infrastructure grant, including: the form and process of submitting annual project proposals to the division for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant;which entities are eligible to apply for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant;specific categories of recreation restoration projects that are eligible for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant;the method and formula for determining recreation restoration infrastructure grant amounts; andthe reporting requirements of a recipient of a recreation restoration infrastructure grant.
Amended by Chapter 48, 2023 General Session
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 a project from a qualified applicant within rural counties to ensure geographic parity of the awarded money.
(3) An applicant shall use a recreation restoration infrastructure grant to leverage private and other nonstate public money, including cash, resources, goods, or services necessary to complete a project.The division may give priority to a project from an applicant that contributes a 50% or greater financial match from the applicant or other private and nonstate public money.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 trail, trail head infrastructure, signage, and crossing infrastructure, for both nonmotorized and motorized recreation;a campground or picnic area;water recreation infrastructure, including a pier, dock, or boat ramp; andrecreation facilities that are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
(6) The following are not eligible for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant:general facility operations and administrative costs;land acquisitions;visitor facilities, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;water and utility systems; andemployee housing.
(7) The division shall compile data and report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee on the:effectiveness of the grant program in addressing the deferred maintenance and repair backlog of trails, campgrounds, and other recreation amenities on public lands;estimated value of the rehabilitation or restoration projects;number of miles of trails that are rehabilitated or restored; andleverage of state money to federal and private money and in-kind services such as volunteer labor.
Amended by Chapter 83, 2025 General Session
Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education Grant Program
79-8-301 - Title.
This part is known as the “Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education Grant Program.”
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session
79-8-302 - Creation and purpose of the UCORE grant program.
(1) There is created the Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education Grant Program administered by the division.
(2) The division may seek to accomplish the following objectives in administering the UCORE grant program: promote the health and social benefits of outdoor recreation to the state’s children;encourage children to develop the skills and confidence to be physically active for life;provide outdoor recreational opportunities to underserved communities in the state; andencourage hands-on outdoor or nature-based learning and play to prepare children for achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Amended by Chapter 68, 2022 General Session
79-8-303 - Rulemaking and requirements for awarding a UCORE grant.
(1) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the division, after consulting with the advisory committee, shall make rules establishing the eligibility and reporting criteria for an entity to receive a UCORE grant, including: the form and process of submitting an application to the division for a UCORE grant;which entities are eligible to apply for a UCORE grant;specific categories of children’s programs that are eligible for a UCORE grant;the method and formula for determining grant amounts; andthe reporting requirements of grant recipients.
(2) In determining the award of a UCORE grant, the division may prioritize a children’s program that will serve an underserved community in the state.
(3) A UCORE grant may only be awarded by the executive director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.
(4) The following entities may not receive a UCORE grant under this part: a federal government entity;a state agency, except for public schools and institutions of higher education; anda for-profit entity.
(5) In awarding UCORE grants, consideration shall be given to entities that implement programs that: contribute to healthy and active lifestyles through outdoor recreation; andinclude one or more of the following attributes in their programs or initiatives:serve children with the greatest needs in rural, suburban, and urban areas of the state;provide students with opportunities to directly experience nature;maximize the number of children who can participate;commit matching and in-kind resources;create partnerships with public and private entities;include ongoing program evaluation and assessment;use veterans in program implementation;include outdoor or nature-based programming that incorporates concept learning in science, technology, engineering, or math; oruse educated volunteers in program implementation.
Amended by Chapter 68, 2022 General Session
Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program
79-8-401 - Creation and purpose of infrastructure grant program.
(1) There is created the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program administered by the division.
(2) The division may seek to accomplish the following objectives in administering the infrastructure grant program: build, maintain, and promote recreational infrastructure to provide greater access to low-cost outdoor recreation for the state’s citizens;encourage residents and nonresidents of the state to take advantage of the beauty of Utah’s outdoors;encourage individuals and businesses to relocate to the state;promote outdoor exercise; andprovide outdoor recreational opportunities to an underserved community in the state.
(3) The advisory committee shall advise and make recommendations to the division regarding infrastructure grants.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 68, 2022 General Session
79-8-402 - Rulemaking and requirements for awarding an infrastructure grant.
(1) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, and after consultation with the advisory committee, the division shall make rules establishing the eligibility and reporting criteria for an entity to receive an infrastructure grant, including: the form and process of submitting an application to the division for an infrastructure grant;which entities are eligible to apply for an infrastructure grant;specific categories of recreational infrastructure projects that are eligible for an infrastructure grant;the method and formula for determining grant amounts; andthe reporting requirements of grant recipients.
(2) In determining the award of an infrastructure grant, the division may prioritize a recreational infrastructure project that will serve an underserved community.
(3) An infrastructure grant may only be awarded by the executive director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.
(4) A for-profit entity may not receive an infrastructure grant under this part.
(5) An infrastructure grant may only be awarded under this part: for a recreational infrastructure project that is accessible to the general public; andsubject to Subsections (6) and (7), if the grant recipient agrees to provide matching funds having a value:equal to or greater than the amount of the infrastructure grant; orestablished in accordance with rules made by the division, after consultation with the advisory committee, and in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(6) Up to 50% of the grant recipient match described in Subsection (5)(b) may be provided through an in-kind contribution by the grant recipient, if: approved by the executive director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee; andthe in-kind donation does not include real property.
(7) An infrastructure grant may not be awarded under this part if the grant, or the grant recipient match described in Subsection (5)(b), will be used for the purchase of real property or for the purchase or transfer of a conservation easement.
Amended by Chapter 48, 2023 General Session