Winter 4×4 Jamboree has always been a great event that UPLA is proud to be a part of, plus it’s been a steady and dependable source of funding for our public land use improvements and fights. This year, Desert Roads and Trails are putting UPLA and Blueribbon Coalition in a prominent location in the main building.

As you know, UPLA recently presented BlueRibbon with a check for $70,000 as a result of donations from many clubs, organizations, businesses, and individuals. Artec Industries recognized this and said they wanted to join the fight.

Artec is donating $10,000 of their product for a sweepstakes benefiting BlueRibbon Coalition during Winter 4×4 Jamboree. Stop by our booth and get your backpack and enter to win and help support the fight to keep trails open.

Artec Industries, renowned for its world-class aftermarket automotive parts, takes pride in supporting off-road enthusiasts. The partnership with UPLA and BlueRibbon Coalition reinforces their commitment to trail preservation, and ensures that the trails we all love remain accessible and well maintained for future adventures.

UPLA has always been proud of the fact that we are an all volunteer organization with no paid employees. Our fight to keep our public lands accessible has increased dramatically in both intensity and complexity, and for this reason the Board of Trustees will soon launch a search to hire a Public Policy Director to lead our efforts in a deep understanding of public land issues, staying informed on proposals being considered, and developing policy statements and comments that represent a balance of all outdoor recreational users.

We are still fine tuning our job description and finalizing our strategy, but following is a draft version.

if you know of someone that might be qualified and interested, please email Loren Campbell.

Public Policy Director Job Description 120523 Draft

Grants for OHV Recreation open February 1 and close on April 2, 2024

Utah takes great pride in its extensive off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system, spanning over 80,000 miles and covering various trail networks throughout the state. This remarkable achievement is made possible through collaboration with city, county, nonprofit, state, tribal, and federal partners. Among these vast trails, approximately 1,200 miles are groomed complexes, forming Utah’s 13 snowmobile complexes.

During the 2018 General Session, the state introduced House Bill 143, sponsored by Representative Michael Noel and Senator Evan Vickers. This bill brought about crucial changes to the registration process and uniform statewide fees for ATVs and UTVs, certain motorcycles, and street-legal OHVs. These modifications paved the way for the OHV Program to establish an innovative funding source through grants. Among these grants, the OHV Recreation Grant (OHVR) stands tall, consisting of the following categories:

• Trail Work
• Access Protection
• Education
• Search and Rescue
• Snowmobile
• OHV Tourism
• OHV Land Acquisition

The state website has all the information about the various grants that are available. Grants & Planning – Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.

OHV Program Guide ’24

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) plays a pivotal role by requiring federal agencies to assess the impact of their proposed actions. One crucial aspect of the NEPA process is the public comment period, during which concerned individuals and organizations can provide feedback on proposed projects. Writing effective comments is a critical step in preserving access for all users to our public lands. UPLA together with BlueRibbon Coalition and Salt Lake Offroad Expo (SLOREX) are partnering to bring you a training seminar on how to write effective comments in NEPA actions.

Understanding NEPA and Public Participation: NEPA, enacted in 1970, aims to integrate environmental considerations into federal decision-making processes. It mandates that federal agencies assess the environmental impact of proposed projects and involve the public in the decision-making process. Public participation is a cornerstone of NEPA, as it recognizes the diverse perspectives and expertise that the public can bring to the table.

The Importance of Effective Comments: Effective comments play a vital role in influencing the outcome of NEPA actions. Agencies are required to consider and respond to substantive comments during the decision-making process, making it crucial for comments to be well-reasoned, fact-based, and relevant to the environmental analysis. Well-crafted comments can highlight potential environmental concerns, propose alternatives, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the project’s impact.

Challenges in Comment Writing: Despite the importance of public participation, many individuals and organizations face challenges in writing effective comments for NEPA actions. Common issues include a lack of understanding of the NEPA process, technical complexities in project documentation, and difficulties in navigating regulatory language. As a result, comments may not effectively convey concerns, suggestions, or alternative solutions.

The Solution: UPLA, BlueRibbon, and SLOREX will be offering free training at the Mountain America Expo Center on February 29, the day before SLOREX opens. The session will be recorded and professionally edited as a valuable online resource we can use in the future.

Save the Date for now and Watch for more information about attending the session.