Utah species protection account saves $240M while preventing endangered species listings since 1997

The Utah State Legislature's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee meeting on February 4, 2025, spotlighted the critical role of the Species Protection Account in safeguarding wildlife and preventing species from being listed as endangered. Established in 1997, this fund has two primary objectives: to recover species already on the endangered list and to avert new listings.

During the meeting, officials highlighted the success of the fund, noting that it has helped prevent the listing of 27 species, saving Utah over $240 million since its inception. This figure is based on a 2016 study estimating the financial impact of species listings on states. The discussion also included the Ute Ladies' Tresses, a plant species that may soon be delisted, which could save the state over a million dollars annually in clearance survey costs.

The committee emphasized the importance of maintaining state authority over species management, arguing that federal listings can slow down necessary environmental adaptations. Looking ahead, officials are focused on delisting species like the Utah prairie dog and preventing listings of others, such as the Wilson's Phalarope and the Pinyon Jay.

However, a significant challenge remains: the Species Protection Account has been flat funded since 1997, raising concerns about its future effectiveness in protecting Utah's biodiversity. The meeting underscored the ongoing commitment to species conservation while highlighting the need for increased funding to continue these vital efforts.