Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan Goals*

To coordinate, promote, and implement Utah’s public land priorities.

PEOPLE. Coordinate public land uses to help build a future for every Utahn.

PLACE. Facilitate the celebration of culture, tradition, and heritage on public lands.

PROSPERITY. Promote access, multiple use and sustained yield along with exemplary stewardship on public lands

*Goals will be measured annually, unless otherwise noted.

People.

Coordinate public land uses to help build a future for every Utahn.

Objectives

1. Protect access and recreational opportunities for Utahns and visitors for many generations to come.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Promote Utah’s policies and code that enhance the enjoyment and stewardship of public lands in the state
- Continue the validation of R.S. 2477 rights-of-way and take at least 30 days of preservation depositions
- Strive for 10 favorable legal or policy decisions/actions
- Actively engage and promote the State’s interests in all Federal Travel Management Plan (TMPs) revisions (San Rafael Desert, San Rafael Swell, Labyrinth Rims/ Gemini Bridges, Henry Mountains/ Fremont Gorge) and encourage the BLM to finalize the six remaining TMPs by December 2028
- Document 6% of the remaining R.S. 2477 roads each year and upload data to AccessMap 360

2. Hire and retain outstanding staff to coordinate, promote, and implement Utah’s public lands priorities.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Strive to maintain a four or higher rating on the annual DNR survey for “I would recommend my division/office as a great place to work”
- Strive to maintain a four or higher rating on the annual DNR survey for “I have sufficient opportunities, such as challenging assignments or projects, to earn a high performance ranking”
- Strive to maintain a four or higher rating on the annual DNR survey for “I receive the tools, resources, and support that are necessary for me to do a good job”

3. Promote stewardship of public lands for the pursuit of happiness through education, improved health/wellness, and community engagement.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Host or facilitate at least two federal or state elected officials’ tours in Utah throughout the year, with the intent of educating on issues and duties of our office
- Plan and implement education campaigns to target public and elected officials, surrounding public lands stewardship and/or management (as funding allows)

4. Strive to find win/win solutions for Utahns and visitors.

Metrics & Key Results

- Coordinate with state agencies, elected officials, and others to “speak with one voice” when submitting official state comments to federal agencies
- Conduct monthly check-ins with congressional offices to ensure proper alignment on public lands issues
- Utilize the Resource Development Coordinating Council quarterly meetings to identify mutual interests and strategies to promote Utah’s public lands priorities
- Direct coordination and training meetings with the Department of Natural Resources divisions, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and the Department of Environmental Quality

5. Promote safe opportunities for Utahns and visitors on public lands.

Metrics & Key Results

- Support County Sheriffs and the Division of Law Enforcement’s effort to create alignment between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies

Place.

Facilitate the celebration of culture, tradition, and heritage on public lands.

Objectives

1. Promote the Governor’s objective to Preserve the “Utah Way” of kindness, service and spirit of community on public lands.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Utilize the Resource Development Coordinating Committee and PLPCO staff to ensure our official comments reflect state and local values
- Utilize internships to promote PLPCO goals and objectives, to educate leaders of the future

2. Promote multiple use and sustained yield for economic and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Partner with stakeholders and/or trade associations who utilize public lands when consistent with the State Resource Management Plan
- Review the State Resource Management Plan and coordinate with counties on local plans to ensure they are updated with current issues
- Coordinate with state, local, federal entities, and elected officials to facilitate favorable policy decisions that promote outdoor recreation for all different types of users

3. Challenge federal public lands planning efforts that are inconsistent with Utah’s public lands priorities.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Coordinate each week internally to ensure each project has a lead, deadline, and legal strategy if needed
- Communicate concerns, needs, and successes with state and national directors of federal natural resource agencies quarterly

4. Promote and celebrate rural Utah communities that are reliant on public lands.

Metrics & Key Results

- Maintain relationships and communicate with rural public lands counties monthly and all other counties quarterly
- Actively problem-solve public lands issues with community leaders
- Work with the various associations of governments and public lands committees to ensure we are addressing the most pressing natural resource issues

5. Facilitate and fulfill the state’s archaeology requirements.

Metrics & Key Results

- Respond to survey and excavation permits applications in less than 30 days
- Host the archaeological consultant meetings annually with a goal of 150 people attending in-person and online
- Work with the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure archaeological resources are protected and responsibly used through permitting and joint analysis

Propsperity.

Promote access, multiple use and sustained yield along with exemplary stewardship on public lands.

Objectives

1. Advocate for access, multiple use, and stewardship of public lands.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Utilize a minimum of 15 conferences, expositions, tours, informational campaigns, or other events to educate the public on public lands issues
- Analyze, actively participate in decision processes, and, if necessary, litigate federal actions to promote consistency with state and county resource management plans

2. Promote stewardship of public lands that enhance the quality of life for Utahns and visitors, ensuring Utah continues to thrive.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Facilitate substantive comments from state agencies on state and federal projects, plans, and policies through the Resource Development Coordinating Committee
- Identify conferences to provide presentations with other agencies on public lands innovations, including energy, water, and recreation
- Coordinate closely with state and local government while acting as a cooperating agency on federal resource/forest management planning efforts
- Staff and host the quarterly Resource Development Coordinating Committee and provide knowledgeable staff to advise the Constitutional Defense Council

3. Work with federal lands management agencies to identify and prioritize public lands inside or near communities to ensure Utahns have affordable housing and recreational opportunities.

Metrics & Key Results:

- Identify islands/orphaned parcels inside or near communities and begin coordination with federal agencies to update Resource Management Plans to analyze those parcels for affordable housing
- Monitor and track applications and approvals of Recreation and Public Purposes Act applications in coordination with the BLM for streamlined processing