BOUNTIFUL— County officials are hoping to create a Bonneville Shoreline Trail route that would move it off of Bountiful Boulevard, giving it more of an “urban trail” feel.

In recent action, the Davis County Commission approved moving forward with a “recommendation for notice of award” to complete a an analysis that is required by federal law, said Scott Hess, county trails planner.

It’s an early step in the process, required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Logan Simpson Design Incorporated of Salt Lake City is being recommended to complete the study of eight bids received. At $28,544, it is not the lowest bid received. However, Hess said the firm has completed a similar project on the trail for Salt Lake County.

“We are creating a new route, considering what cultural, historical and environmental impacts there will be in the new route,” he told The Clipper.

This segment of the trail covers about nine miles and would run generally east of North Salt Lake City and Bountiful, Hess said.

“We want to make it a true urban interface trail,” he said. “We’ll be walking the whole proposed route and ‘GPS-ing’ it so we can get a new line on where we think the trail should go.”

That includes providing the U.S. Forest Service with pertinent information “so they can make an analysis of what a full environmental review is needed,” Hess said.

Most of the trail is on federal land although some private land is included.

For more information check out July 5 edition of Davis Clipper.