Council seeks projects to enhance state's recreation

The Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council is accepting applications to build projects that expand recreational opportunities within Idaho. For 2024, the council has $5 million to spend on capital projects, such as trails, bridges, and campgrounds, that create or enhance outdoors access.

Funding for this round of projects comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, which carries firm timelines for any funds to be obligated and spent. The council seeks projects that can be under contract by the end of 2024 and completed before the end of 2026.

“This represents a great potential opportunity for those who have shovel-ready projects, or ones that are close to it, to build facilities that create new access to the outdoors,” said Susan Buxton, director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and an ORFAC council member. “We want proposals that can be done quickly and give the recreating public some new opportunities.”

Governor Brad Little and Idaho Legislature in early 2023 provided the initial $5 million for ORFAC’s work, which resulted in several proposals that are in the planning stage. Earlier this year, the Legislature, with Governor Little’s support, approved a second round of funding.

Little's order creating the council targets “opportunities for camping, fishing, hunting, accessing trails and other outdoor pursuits” for potential projects. IDPR, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Idaho Department of Lands are charged to work cooperatively to propose projects, manage under-utilized resources and monetize outdoor recreation for long-term sustainability.

The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2024. For more information on ORFAC or to apply for a project, go online to parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/orfac.