1. (1)(a) The division shall use a weighted scoring system to enable the advisory committee to analyze, advise, and make recommendations to the division regarding the award of an infrastructure grant and infrastructure grant amount.

   1. (b) The application shall include the scoring system.

   2. (c) The scoring system shall assess and value general categories, including:

      1. (i) needs of the community where the project will be physically located;
      2. (ii) economic impact, including the potential to increase area tourism;
      3. (iii) recreational access and value;
      4. (iv) project readiness; and
      5. (v) whether the project is located within an underserved or underprivileged community.
2. (2) The division shall distribute the infrastructure grant applications among the advisory committee members and ensure that each application is reviewed and scored by members of the advisory committee.
3. (3) The division shall use the average of the scores to create a prioritization matrix ranking the infrastructure grant applications.
4. (4) The division shall convene the advisory committee to review the ranked infrastructure grant applications.

5. (5) In determining infrastructure grant awards, advisory committee members shall:

   1. (a) use the prioritization matrix referenced in Subsection (3) to rank the applications; and
   2. (b) review all but the lowest ranked applications, as determined by a threshold determined by the division.
6. (6) An advisory committee member may move the advisory committee to review a low-scoring application that was not scheduled to receive consideration by the advisory committee.
7. (7) An advisory committee member may move the advisory committee to vote to recommend a infrastructure grant be awarded.

8. (8) The advisory committee may prioritize projects:

   1. (a) that conform to the criteria and eligibility as outlined in the program guide;
   2. (b) that are likely to increase visitation to the project area;
   3. (c) that will serve an underserved or underprivileged community;
   4. (d) that will further the goal of providing geographic distribution of recreation infrastructure throughout the state;
   5. (e) that are for trails that are accessible to all members of the public, including trails that are usable with adaptive equipment.
   6. (f) that are for trail segments that complete trail gaps;
   7. (g) that will add to connect trails for a more extensive trail network;

   8. (h) that will enhance an outdoor recreation amenity that draws tourists; or

      1. (i) where project applicants have coordinated with the local tourism office to market the project as a tourism attraction.
9. (9) The division shall provide a synopsis of each project proposed in each application and each reviewer shall have access to all scored evaluations.
10. (10) In accordance with available funds, the advisory committee shall advise and make recommendations to the division regarding proposals for funding.
11. (11) The advisory committee shall forward recommendations for infrastructure grant awards to the executive director, who shall approve infrastructure grants to be awarded after consulting with the division director.
12. (12) If an infrastructure grant recipient declines an awarded infrastructure grant, the division may give the funding to another high-scoring application upon a recommendation from the advisory committee and approval of the division director and executive director.
13. (13) The division shall notify the infrastructure grant applicant of the funding decision within two weeks of the executive director's final decision.
14. (14) The division shall notify each successful infrastructure grant applicant of expected contractual requirements.
15. (15) The division shall notify each infrastructure grant applicant who was unsuccessful in obtaining an infrastructure grant award that the applicant's application was unsuccessful.
16. (16) A copy of the reviewers' written comments, with reviewers' names redacted, shall be provided to rejected infrastructure grant applicants upon request.

KEY: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Grant, outdoor recreation grants

Date of Last Change: January 22, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 79-8-402(1)