The Central Wasatch Commission is pleased to announce the launch of the 2021 Call for Ideas for new projects specific to the project area of the Central Wasatch Commission, which includes Millcreek Canyon, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and the Wasatch Back.

This Call for Ideas is specifically focused on projects that protect the ecosystems or watershed originating in the project area, improve canyon transportation or transit, steward year-round recreation, and sustain the economic viability of the Wasatch Canyons. These were the tenets laid out during Mountain Accord and form the basis for the work of the Central Wasatch Commission.

Background

The Central Wasatch Commission formed in 2017 through an interlocal agreement and is comprised of nine jurisdictions along the Central Wasatch Front and Back: Summit County, Park City, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy City, Town of Brighton, Town of Alta, and the Utah Transit Authority as an ex officio member. Its mission is to implement the Mountain Accord which laid out proposals for addressing four major issue areas specific to the Central Wasatch Mountains: transportation, economic viability, environmental sustainability, and recreation stewardship. The Central Wasatch Commission carries out that objective through its work on the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act, work on the Mountain Transportation System initiative, and the Environmental Dashboard.

Purpose

The purpose of this Call for Ideas is to explore short term project ideas in the Central Wasatch Commission project area that are largely “shovel-ready” for the Central Wasatch Commission to consider for funding. The project should:

·       Address one or more of the areas of focus for the Central Wasatch Commission: canyon transportation/transit, environmental protection, recreational stewardship, or economic sustainability;

·       Not require lengthy NEPA analysis, a project for which NEPA is already completed, or a project that is eligible for a Categorical Exclusion;

·       Be implemented within 6-12 months of contract;

·       Not request more than $20,000 total from the Central Wasatch Commission. Projects with dedicated funds from the applying entity, or community partners will be given increased weighting during the review process;

·       Be proposed by a non-profit organization, a community group, or private citizen.

Please Note

·       This Call for Ideas is not a commitment to contract.

·       Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full project proposal including a project budget, timeline, and letters of support from appropriate land managers to the Central Wasatch Commission for consideration to fund.

How to Submit Your Idea

1.     Complete the idea worksheet and attach your question responses (questions are below).

2.     Multiple applications from an applicant are welcome, however please submit one application per idea.

3.     The completed idea worksheet with the attached question responses should be submitted to the Central Wasatch Commission digitally by emailing Lindsey Nielsen at lindsey@cwc.utah.gov. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis, though, priority will be given to ideas submitted before April 12th, 2021.

Questions

1.     Briefly describe your idea. How will it implement transportation and transit solutions, protect the ecosystems that originate in the Central Wasatch, steward recreational access, or sustain the economic viability of the project area?

2.     Does this idea result in other benefits to the Central Wasatch and its users?