BLM Utah Salt Lake Field Office Prospector OHV Trail System Development | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity for?

This discretionary grant opportunity from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Salt Lake Field Office was intended to support development of the Prospector OHV trail system in the West Desert of northern Utah, including building out a long-distance, family-friendly trail riding network for OHV, ATV, and UTV users.

Where is the project located?

The project area is the West Desert of northern Utah. The overall concept includes a connected trail system around multiple West Desert mountain ranges, with connector segments and a longer connection intended to ultimately link the Fivemile Pass Recreation Area to the Little Sahara Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA).

What types of trail experiences is the project meant to complement?

The Prospector Trail concept was described as complementing shorter-range riding opportunities already available at two heavily used locations: Fivemile Pass Recreation Area and Little Sahara SRMA.

What is the overall trail concept being supported?

The trail system was described as a connected system of loop routes around multiple West Desert mountain ranges, tied together by connector segments, with a longer connection that ultimately links Fivemile Pass to Little Sahara.

What is the primary objective of the project?

The primary objective is to establish a clearly identified, well-marked, and maintained long-distance motorized trail system with adequate support facilities (such as trailheads) that is open to the general public.

What kinds of users is the trail system intended for?

The opportunity specifically references OHV, ATV, and UTV users and describes the network as family-friendly and long-distance.

What kinds of support facilities are included in the objective?

The notice highlights the need for adequate support facilities, specifically mentioning trailheads as an example.

How does the project address conflicts with other land users and nearby private landowners?

The opportunity states that the system is intended to be structured to reduce conflicts with other land users and nearby private landowners through an organized, clearly identified, signed, and managed trail system rather than informal or unmanaged riding.

How does the project emphasize natural resource protection and property respect?

The project emphasizes protection of natural resources and respect for both public and private property while developing and maintaining a motorized trail system.

Why is multi-jurisdictional coordination a key driver for this opportunity?

The proposed trail system crosses or influences multiple land ownerships and management responsibilities. The grant was designed to continue implementing shared goals established through coordinated, multi-jurisdictional management.

What agreement or framework guided partner coordination for the Prospector Trail system?

In 2014, partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to joint cooperation on development, operations, and maintenance of the Prospector Trail system. This grant was described as supporting continued implementation of those shared goals.

Who were the MOU signatories mentioned in the notice?

The notice lists the following signatories: Tooele and Juab counties; the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest; the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation; the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA); and BLM field offices in Salt Lake and Fillmore.

What kind of award instrument was used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The opportunity was issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning BLM expected to be substantially involved in the work rather than simply providing funds as a pass-through grant.

What funding activity category did this opportunity fall under?

The notice places the opportunity under the Natural Resources funding activity category.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 15.238.

How many awards were expected to be made?

The program expected to make a single award.

What was the total estimated funding amount?

The total estimated funding for the opportunity was $10,000.

What was the expected award size range?

Individual award amounts were expected to range from $2,500 (floor) up to $10,000 (ceiling).

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals could be submitted by a wide range of entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement and submission instructions?

Applicants were directed to Grants.gov for the full announcement and submission details.

What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The notice was posted and created on April 17, 2015. The original and final closing date was June 16, 2015. The archive date was July 16, 2015.

Who were the BLM contacts for support accessing the announcement?

The listed BLM contacts were Grants Management Officers Melanie Beckstead (801-539-4169, mbeckstead@blm.gov) and Maria Gochis (801-539-4178, mgochis@blm.gov).

What outcomes or community benefits did BLM anticipate from the project?

BLM highlighted anticipated economic benefits for surrounding communities from expanded, destination-style riding opportunities, including potential increases in visitor spending on lodging, food, fuel, repairs, and related services.

What is the project trying to change about OHV riding behavior in the area?

An explicit goal is to promote responsible OHV use by providing an organized, signed, and managed trail system, rather than relying on informal or unmanaged riding patterns.