Should Utah and federal government pool resources to boost outdoor recreation? Some lawmakers say yes

Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Utah lawmakers are considering a bill that would encourage the state to partner with federal, private and other entities on outdoor recreation projects across the state.

A woman explores the Wire Pass slot canyon in Utah, date not specified | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

Utah Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist is sponsoring HB 224, as it was dubbed for the 2023 legislative session, to create a Recreation Coordinated Investment Initiative under the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.

The initiative would “manage, maintain, expand, restore and improve outdoor recreation infrastructure to address increased usage and to minimize overcrowding or overuse,” according to the bill’s text.

To achieve this, the division would enter into partnership agreements with various entities, including private landowners and federal or state agencies.

“The idea behind HB 224 would be to create a way that we would look at a recreation asset like — it could be a campground, it could be a trail — and pull together resources from multiple jurisdictions and say, ‘Hey, let’s pool our resources and let’s manage this as one thing,”‘ Stenquist told St. George News.

Stenquist chairs the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission, which acts as an oversight board for outdoor recreation. Members are working to create Utah’s first strategic statewide plan for recreation and have been hosting workshops across the state, including in Southern Utah.

“What I was hearing as I was traveling around the state and listening to stakeholders — it became very apparent just how important it is that we coordinate between different groups and different government entities on recreation,” he said. “Because…two-thirds of the land in the state of Utah is under management by the federal government.”

Utah House Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist presenting 2023’s HB 224 to the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee , Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 24, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News

For instance, an off-highway vehicle trail could travel across multiple jurisdictions, Stenquist said, adding that a segment of trail could be funded differently based on the stewarding agency it falls under.

Under the bill, various agencies would work together to contribute a percentage of the funding required to complete a project.

“Then we could pool our resources and manage (the area) together and get projects to build or maintain or expand these types of areas so that it helps to enhance recreation in general,” he said.

As an example of the type of work the bill would encourage, Stenquist said he’s been working with Kane and Washington counties to partner with Zion National Park.

At their request, the representative is sponsoring a request for appropriation that would allow the use of state funds for improvements within the park to relieve congestion, which they hope will prevent the park service from taking more “drastic” measures, such as instituting a lottery system for entry.

The $18 million request would fund the construction of a sewer line, which would help relieve concerns about the impacts of high visitation on the park’s septic system, Stenquist said.

Utah House Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist presenting 2023’s HB 224 on the House floor and reminding outdoor enthusiasts to stay safe, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 31, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News

Additionally, the request proposes building a bike path over the sewer line, which Stenquist said could reduce congestion by encouraging visitors to use e-bikes.

“Let’s have the state come in and help make this a better experience wherever we can,” he said.

HB 224 is patterned after wildfire management agreements and Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative, which Stenquist said during the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee hearing has “been very successful.”

Stenquist said HB 224 is one of several bills he is either sponsoring or speaking support of for the 2023 legislative session.

“I think it has a great potential to really have us work together to make better recreation experiences for everybody that’s visiting our state,” he said. “And not just for our visitors but for those of us that live here and love to recreate.”

Additionally, because he feels that legislators should “actually go out there” to see what’s happening “on the ground,” he and other lawmakers formed the Tourism Outdoor Recreation Caucus.

“It’s an opportunity for us and other stakeholders to come together and to educate lawmakers on policies and important issues around tourism and outdoor recreation,” he said.

This file photo shows backpackers on the Pa’Rus Trail, Zion National Park, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News

HB 224 is not expected to increase revenues or expenditures in 2023, according to the bill’s fiscal note. It will cost the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation an estimated $40,000, beginning in the 2024 fiscal year. It is not expected to impact state revenue going forward.

The estimated costs would be used to administer the program and other tasks, such as negotiating agreements, Stenquist told the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee on Thursday. Funding for specific projects would need to be prioritized and authorized through the legislature.

The committee gave the bill a unanimous favorable recommendation. Before reaching the Senate committee, the bill passed the Utah House of Representatives 70 to 0, with five legislators not voting. It has not yet been read on the Senate floor. To read HB 224’s full text, click here.


Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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