[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6229297,"mediaKeyId","3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219","parentId",3464292,"title","RAC renews most CWMUs; some members flagged corner‑crossing concerns for one unit","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",3617000,"endMs",3894000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219&start=3617&end=3894","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219/thumbnail_3617000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229297/Utah/RAC-renews-most-CWMUs-some-members-flagged-cornercrossing-concerns-for-one-unit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229297-0320a1d2f7e2c5375ce00eaf5294872d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057774&Signature=iEVXZtYbIDiR48sCjvjy~nQSZM~Ysrl5PB2LzNL2uXIem7DiLN7M9A4s8Xx~KJ8aGYJYJ~JJo9DrudxlzA4MwGc2Mt4ZpvfQsevtXpYU5Idk1bN24F26g5nZs9IqiLI2kdSN5ZdTrulUarzv-XhQ-X6j-dKTBFrLtiRdRJQg3ujxC~p6cx~JDmvlZyCIyU6jqRfrfMW9wh9pM-U8W2MeZ6zQekdCvSgTDWdrJh-v9wOVNylpLPh-NzLGysIE~KCYf7lUFjLaHBfgbwwUn8KMBlBu8b3Yx9UFyMteLpxtzZpq~5L3yUX4ieFJfB-HduZXzajyJfXihllSkHynjzinrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-23T15:32:58.453Z","article","The Regional Advisory Council voted unanimously to approve the 2025 Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) renewals with public-land variances, while council members and staff flagged corner‑crossing issues for one TL Bars pronghorn unit.

Chad Wilson presented the renewals and told the council that most renewals were noncontroversial. Council discussion focused on whether recent developments regarding corner crossing — a court case discussed at other RACs — should prompt broader review of CWMUs that include potential corner crossings. Staff said the division has not completed guidance about applying the corner‑crossing decision to CWMU boundaries and recommended awaiting final legal clarity; one RAC noted a notice that a corner‑crossing ruling might be appealed to the state Supreme Court.

The TL Bars CWMU was discussed because maps show a public‑land parcel in the middle of the unit where corner crossing could be possible; two other RACs had recommended not approving that renewal pending clarification. Chad Wilson explained that in other CWMUs that include trade lands, those lands are now required to be open to all big-game hunting following a recent rule change and would be handled through walk‑in access administration.

After discussion, RAC member Eric Majors moved to accept the 2025 CWMU public-land renewals as presented; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff said they will hold off on broader changes to CWMU renewals until legal guidance about corner crossing is final and will work with landowners and boards to clarify how any changes would be implemented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DWR RAC Meeting - Northeastern Region 5/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit renewals that include public-land variances; members raised corner‑crossing concerns for a TL Bars unit and noted potential legal uncertainty pending court action.","taxTitle","Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Government Divisions, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",7888,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6229301,"RAC approves clarification to 'dedicated hunter' rule to allow service hours during application year",273,1245000,1518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219&start=1245&end=1518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219/thumbnail_1245000.jpg","/articles/6229301/Utah/RAC-approves-clarification-to-dedicated-hunter-rule-to-allow-service-hours-during-application-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229301-c8da474868b505beacfd4ad5dfa9b1e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057774&Signature=FKuw7Kc-USXxmS0Tc9gz82d82kmMZqLeCCMFNtrjoLQoPM7A22bXuzBic77zLjITkiPMc2x1Do-HmbX8D19YYUkdscY9gcsXiWdjPHCEvEKa9eVaFC0KNlguc~3l3GC-Hw6G4cpc0o8hoLHkGLrdFFsZ3BNs~HkrvGgXlH~1EpMwFCZXHreA9Mxxx0zsbb3S6gWrddyuv1p-cCW3PogMP8xoa0pRNcSZ-HHl8Ofp3lrqEOZFLQrgpinEPzmj6vQhSdbbw3tE7tLY2rqGri02U9Off~WHTp-8vx~kW1xX6W3JI-9WirF2ofC9PeCOlJOsUj2oFeV2HD5a-t8aAT-UXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Regional Advisory Council unanimously approved a clarification to the dedicated-hunter rule that allows qualifying volunteer service hours completed in an application year to be applied to a hunter’s first year of a three-year enrollment if the applicant draws a tag in that same year.

Presenter Bridal (Bridal O'Lien) Christiansen explained the change, sometimes described as a “banking” clarification, is not a multi-year carryover. The rule change will allow a successful dedeicated-hunter applicant who completed Division service projects earlier in the same application year to have those hours merged into their three-year enrollment. \"It's not year after year storage,\" Christiansen said; \"it does double the amount of time dedicated owners have to do their first year.\"

Division staff confirmed volunteer opportunities will remain open to any registered volunteer on Division project webpages and that volunteers must pre-register so service hours can be recorded and liability forms completed. The RAC voted by raised hands to accept the rule amendment as presented.","The RAC approved a staff clarification to the dedicated hunter rule so volunteers who perform Division projects in an application year may have those service hours applied toward their first-year dedicated-hunter enrollment if they also draw a tag that year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6229305,"Division moves ahead with sage-grouse translocations to boost distribution in restored habitat",0,5210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219&start=5210&end=5210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219/thumbnail_5210000.jpg","/articles/6229305/Utah/Division-moves-ahead-with-sage-grouse-translocations-to-boost-distribution-in-restored-habitat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229305-037cab9c326b38442c18e13dc0a6aa44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057774&Signature=Vg9H9BDvxtK6dJe2OdP~Yd5a482WtY3j-XSvCztn8DOsvnPdrV-2Cvw9JbGCkdtT~bh3O-HfBHoqkN10vysHcY1NeaUTIvZvzEuKsjHkNEuI4-Mm3mr5GqfzSA61YLaTxySy7xWxMwDgsJu~I-qBUcSeiWAeHm4M~mOLSjzBQhXiZLo1wmFDco~tmLtFX2gjwqS5hm-1OzFkNtNnnVAeOaPScplIVg-D2a0YHJB3JRTrduJSPVrZbmfvBs3pLRzVmSEBYjCQ1MXRd6KDMxMpIwQ82e6Y9fgjnXnqrAENl~XILhSnVBqQc9dF1fveL-26drnIAwG9NGqXlXlx1syrEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northeast Region RAC approved a division proposal to translocate sage grouse into restored priority habitat areas to bolster distribution and use of recently restored habitat.

Heather Talley and Division staff described planned releases to sites including Tabby Mountain, Browns Park and The Matagi/Tidwell slopes; staff said translocations will move birds among SGMA (sage-grouse management area) boundaries that align with PHMA (priority habitat management areas) under current management plans. Heather Talley explained the releases are intended primarily to increase distribution into restored habitat; “we’re not overly concerned about genetics for this purpose,” she said, noting the source populations have adequate heterozygosity.

Staff said first translocations will focus on juvenile males to increase the chance some will establish on release-site leks where fewer dominant males currently monopolize breeding. Division biologists expect to monitor outcomes for at least two to three years before determining success and identifying additional release opportunities.

The RAC unanimously voted to accept the translocation proposal as presented. Staff told the council they will continue monitoring survival, lek counts and distribution, and that lessons learned will inform future translocations.","The Northeast RAC approved translocation of sage grouse to priority habitat sites to reinforce populations and improve distribution into restored areas; staff said genetic diversity is not a central driver for this phase and success monitoring will continue over multiple years.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6229309,"Northeast RAC adopts WMA license exemptions and clarifies scope after new state law",814,3776000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219&start=3776&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6229309/Utah/Northeast-RAC-adopts-WMA-license-exemptions-and-clarifies-scope-after-new-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229309-385b57d4376aeaa5f491ba67d5943aca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057774&Signature=W7ZIN3v5bOQNFQO~p4iJkVoqUvw6eM90BBOQOkYvG9yXmAksCoGuq-S8Bzt0~rPZ~no119VE-E4jbjITONWjTPICrtplz2u7Z5HSOBWOKGb3Z4tnSA~UAEAhoJGiFoeS3qPNxH-PXGLV350Y9oRfl7HRdSk75MCJ7kSPubKABfIyII0HZerxlW7FBESIg0U1ixAUr8VGzHCUdGsAacSXwcXF9PbB2yfY0l0F47gBPnblZlAyzGXAAR1Ofrre8iH4mKJWWPHAH6wvF6m7gZBQeHEIoBZnwlLwLjRxYawX2HIR1d7EpNN4EgoBk~AjseVWDDA6Vdi0~v-vP9ZUni5O0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northeast Region Regional Advisory Council unanimously approved rule language to implement exemptions to wildlife management area (WMA) license requirements after the passage of House Bill 309, which went into effect May 7.

House Bill 309 requires a valid hunting, fishing or combination license to enter certain wildlife management areas in class 1 and 2 counties; the RAC’s rulemaking narrow scope lets the Wildlife Board define only specific exemptions and educational uses. Chelsea Duke, presenting the rule, told the council the statute limits the Wildlife Board’s authority to “define purposes of what is meant to be expressly exempt and what constitutes an educational program or visitor center.”

During discussion council members and staff noted community concerns: mountain-bike groups that do trail work on WMAs but may not hold hunting licenses; groups that lead youth rides; and birdwatchers and other nonconsumptive users who may come from out of state. Duke said the law does not authorize a separate nonconsumptive WMA pass that would generate federal match dollars; that limitation was cited as a reason the Division cannot create a new “WMA day pass.”

The RAC added a rule exemption clarifying that federal land-management employees are exempt from the license requirement while conducting official duties. The council also discussed volunteer and contractor exemptions; staff described a proposed exemption for “Division employees, volunteers, contractors, and invitees” while carrying out official duties and said the Division issues special-use permits in some instances for organized youth mountain-biking events.

Councilmember Natasha Hadden moved to accept the rule changes as presented and to add the federal employee exemption; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff emphasized that the rule implements state law rather than creating new licensing mandates and that counties and local partners should expect the Division to continue outreach to clarify who must hold licenses to access WMAs.","Following House Bill 309, the RAC approved rule language to define exemptions for wildlife management areas and added an exemption for federal land-management employees acting in their official duties.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6229312,"Northeast RAC backs revised outfitter, guide and spotter rules after public concern over fees and limits",1588,1685000,3273000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219&start=1685&end=3273","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464292-380c75dbcd515c7e1ab45419c8593219/thumbnail_1685000.jpg","/articles/6229312/Utah/Northeast-RAC-backs-revised-outfitter-guide-and-spotter-rules-after-public-concern-over-fees-and-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229312-d8cbaf7145cdd1a8682cbfb872295dd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057774&Signature=HBHqXmpuHeEykY7H7W-oExPEPkS0v~GiNYCRqpA6NxWDK56KaZXVIaBits2vHAb8Qudu579nxbKIuBpu9DtQS1TrNWGSpGCy3WBR92SnpozmsCn68sk-Oy9kHpE~kPDIaZt2qK7sE7HlE0QoHR5D4H2uMf5Or7DKoeuas~KlgiGtuVrkM~ZFMX4tztpBQiJb-yVL2eclj6rN5VY7ZQ9n0tK23qFjdEvjp0Or6qzj69zITitar9~9VmddFNXwDMLvZ67v3ORhnSG1RvwUJJghWe0iv~HQp66BN0npjfRk5SKlnkj1aHlJWQhjHxaZauIkHqviGcVbDnl~JrkOAXYA7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northeast Region Regional Advisory Council on Wednesday approved amendments to the outfitter, guide and spotter rule, adopting changes that remove the requirement to include federal land permits in initial state application materials while still requiring applicable federal permits to be obtained and carried in the field.

The move followed extended discussion and public comment from outfitters and council members who raised concerns about new fees and limits introduced by recent state law. Dax Mingus, filling in for Coby Jones, summarized the proposal to shorten season dates for conservation-permit bighorn sheep hunts and adjustments related to Antelope Island State Park before the larger guide-and-spotter discussion shifted to compliance details.

Outfitter Rusty Farnsworth told the council the new law and draft rules would “cripple” small operators by increasing licensing costs and limiting compensated helpers in backcountry hunts. Farnsworth said the law’s compensation threshold and licensing fees — he cited what he described as an increase from previous professional-license fees to a new $500 annual fee plus per-guide charges — would force some contracted helpers to refuse work unless paid for their licenses. “I just think you should really consider some of those things,” Farnsworth said during public comment.

Division staff responded that the $500 fee and some other requirements were established by the Legislature, not the Division, and that the Division could adjust only what falls within rulemaking authority. Chad Vetrich, presenting staff updates on the rule, said the renewal date in outreach materials was corrected from Dec. 31 to March 31 and proposed changing application language so applicants must “obtain the proper federal land use permit and have it available in the field,” rather than submitting federal permits as part of the state application packet.

Council members also questioned enforcement practicality where compensated status might be obscured. Councilmember Jordan McMahon asked how the Division would investigate alleged unlicensed compensation; staff said enforcement would be the Division’s responsibility and acknowledged the difficulty but reiterated the statutory definition of compensation (payments or transfers of economic value over $100) would guide investigations.

After discussion, RAC member Natasha Hadden moved to approve the rule amendments as presented but to remove the requirement that federal permits be submitted with state application materials, require that applicable federal permits be obtained and carried in the field while operating, and to remove section 3.2(e) from the rule. The motion passed unanimously by raised hands.

The council did not alter statutory fee levels; staff noted those were set by the Legislature. The council also encouraged small outfitters to pursue legislative changes to specific statutory requirements if they seek relief from compensation or fee provisions.

The Division will implement the approved rule language and proceed with outreach materials reflecting the March 31 renewal date and the new application wording. The council’s amendment requires guides to carry federal permits when operating on federal lands but does not change fee amounts set by statute.","The Northeast Region Regional Advisory Council approved amendments to the outfitter, guide and spotter rule with two agency-focused changes after lengthy public comment about licensing fees, compensated helpers and enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RAC renews most CWMUs; some members flagged corner‑crossing concerns for one unit

RAC approves clarification to 'dedicated hunter' rule to allow service hours during application year

Division moves ahead with sage-grouse translocations to boost distribution in restored habitat

Northeast RAC adopts WMA license exemptions and clarifies scope after new state law

Northeast RAC backs revised outfitter, guide and spotter rules after public concern over fees and limits