County Resource Management Planning Toolkit Presented

The Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget is pleased to announce the recipients of grant funding for the purpose of developing County Resource Management Plans utilizing the “County Resource Management Plan Toolkit” (CRMP Toolkit) developed by GOPB.

In the 2004 legislative session, $250,000 was appropriated for county planning and the Utah Smart Site Program. One hundred thousand of this appropriation was reserved for application of the CRMP Toolkit. In November, 2004, a Request for Proposals was released by GOPB soliciting applications from counties interested in developing model resource management plans utilizing the Toolkit.

There were seven proposals, representing 16 different counties, covering all areas of the state. In total, over $377,000 was requested by the seven applicants, with a complementary match, both cash and in-kind services, of over $176,000.

A selection committee of seven representatives from GOPB, the Department of Natural Resources and the Utah Center for Rural Life at Southern Utah University reviewed the applications. Four counties were selected for funding:

• Daggett County—to develop a timber, forest fuels and vegetation management plan for the north slope area of the Flaming Gorge Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest. This plan will also explore the opportunities for developing the county’s community-based forest and wood products industry.

• San Juan County—to finalize 1) a transportation plan for the Monticello District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, and 2) planning for the Canyon Rims OHV Loop.

• Tooele County—to develop a recreation and tourism-focused infrastructure (sites, facilities and activities) plan for all lands in eastern Tooele County. This project will also include a marketing component for the recreation plan.

• Uintah County—to develop a public lands (70% of Uintah County) recreation management plan.

The four grant recipients will also bring well over $100,000 in cash and in-kind matching funds and services to the overall planning effort. This is a substantial amount that greatly extends the legislature’s initial appropriation and investment in the CRMP Toolkit, as well as quantifies the counties’ commitment to the Toolkit process. Many local partners, including the responsible land management agency, have also committed to the process proposed by each county.

GOPB is excited about the CRMP Toolkit and assisting these first four pilot projects in creating model plans for other counties to emulate. It is our hope that further funding may become available as the value of the Toolkit is further recognized. Until this funding is realized, we encourage all of Utah’s counties to learn more about the Toolkit and see how it may benefit their respective planning endeavors. Furthermore, GOPB staff is available to answer any questions and to assist with the local utilization of the Toolkit.

For more information or Toolkit assistance please contact Brian Cottam, Program Specialist, at (435) 425-3670 or blcottam@utah.gov.

Learn more about this program.