[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6149369,"mediaKeyId","5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719","parentId",5511972,"title","DWR northern region reports fish surveys, stocking, wetland work and bighorn transplants; losses to bluetongue noted","audioSeconds",399,"startMs",724000,"endMs",1123000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719&start=724&end=1123","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719/thumbnail_724000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149369/Utah/DWR-northern-region-reports-fish-surveys-stocking-wetland-work-and-bighorn-transplants-losses-to-bluetongue-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149369-aaabeedb81901e0ca7c1acf1de110cae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579669&Signature=lDOTbdrs7AkbZ78qbbJo~6XSqsct3cL~9L8tWLoF-ixZlBonGzx5R9VF4-OyIj2GFsmOG~tnAeAQ9j3UQsu4nc2yoIIooxj9pGF-aQxlTiD2BMHqdEX9KkRLcy1VJUYJJ8zYBXYrBU11n1DsKheGv781rxmwYoc5Ghixxp9VRvcU16B94g034fbVbleh4k0WBfk-4EK-O~GrgmME6VUSD1YF-iL~NcjiSUCFEvAPD0gYfSjwV596jnkuVZRKacIpcTqUKDmB6Nn4nThRv9dfcGCB8fkBO15UGKrsw7rpVrW3csjaHN5JLPAaOwr88vMp6m9UAo38QsE-L7qSltD-Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-31T09:26:07.65Z","article","DWR regional staff provided an overview of summer field work during the Northern RAC meeting, reporting continued fish population surveys, stocking, wetland management and wildlife translocations in the northern region.

Blair, the region’s presenter, said staff conducted cutthroat trout surveys on Chalk Creek, Echo and the North Fork of the Ogden River and used hydroacoustics at Bear Lake to monitor Bonneville cisco. The division stocked about 2,000 small tiger muskies in Pine View Reservoir in July. Native aquatics crews surveyed for pearl snail shells and wing‑floater mussels in high‑elevation streams, and staff discovered two previously unrecorded crayfish populations in western Box Elder County and on the Weber River.

On wetland and water projects, Blair reported a major dike and berm rebuild at Farrington Bay on the State Canal and water‑management work at Ogden Bay, and a month‑long Phragmites control effort scheduled to begin soon. A new water guzzler was installed on a cold‑water WMA in Box Elder County, and the division partnered with the Trucker and Wildlife Foundation on guzzler maintenance in the West Desert.

Blair said the region is conducting pronghorn and elk classifications and continuing pelican capture and trapping on the Great Salt Lake. Staff have responded to increased nuisance‑bear reports attributable to dry conditions and scarce natural forage this year. The region also translocated 38 bighorn sheep from Nevada about a month ago and reported several losses attributed to bluetongue virus; Blair described bluetongue as a known seasonal disease for sheep when animals congregate at water sources.

Outreach highlights: the division posted social media stories — one on fish‑habitat structures at Pine View Reservoir that reached more than 200,000 views and a bighorn release event with strong public interest. Blair also promoted upcoming mule‑deer open‑house meetings in the northern region to solicit public input.

Ending: Blair invited questions and answered follow‑up items. No formal actions or votes were taken on the regional update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DWR RAC Meeting - Northern Region 7/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Regional staff reported ongoing aquatic and habitat work, fish stocking at Pine View Reservoir, botulism research at the Great Salt Lake, Phragmites treatment, guzzler maintenance, pronghorn/elk classification and a recent bighorn sheep transplant with some losses to bluetongue virus.","taxTitle","Utah Wildlife Board, Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Utah Executive Branch, Utah","taxId",66172,"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},6149374,"RAC approves new tagging rule allowing optional electronic tags; privacy and photo requirements draw debate",2222,3092000,5314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719&start=3092&end=5314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719/thumbnail_3092000.jpg","/articles/6149374/Utah/RAC-approves-new-tagging-rule-allowing-optional-electronic-tags-privacy-and-photo-requirements-draw-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149374-b76a2e7e31b295d4d93004730343aec7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579669&Signature=a~H9enfAxXsMHD15udm8BLyCPZqEG~vZCKht7TxO11d9xLblXRyL1AR-pbcM4sOs~qTFBgg5eSdLJbKUYN2Iji7auMtBtYW3Y-R08nRwNBuiEyko7U8nj0YyB594bnCkoVWE74j~zKEpl0IyeBxYHOB79rmAHWd3mEtv4h0F4knq4kVEAMtHODxV5whnuIkOugwb~~o9Y~TGTkBlT2prOEVd-ZQSq6vzSKDZvFy2CwqWvm9MoWoISuE2ezUYGeQx2VlqsRxAi6RiYluSJEQgrfRahyjbZ2veXROagjGrBFgEhFDWmc733hbSejDqJ0SErbvvIEPAGmq1tqf4rcVxzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northern Regional Advisory Council voted unanimously to recommend a new consolidated tagging rule, R657‑73, that preserves physical tagging while adding an optional electronic tagging system (\"e‑tagging\") that generates a harvest code and a mandatory harvest survey at the time of tagging.

Lindy, a Division staff member, explained the new rule would consolidate existing tagging requirements and add an e‑tag option in the Utah Hunt Fish mobile app. Under the proposed rule, hunters choosing a physical tag must continue to detach and notch the paper permit and securely attach it to the carcass. Hunters choosing e‑tagging would electronically notch their digital permit in the app, complete the mandatory harvest survey fields and receive a harvest code. \"That harvest code, you must keep that electronic harvest code in possession while you're transporting the carcass,\" Lindy said.

The division initially planned to require four photos (front, back, and both sides) with an etag submission to provide biologists with data and to help law enforcement verify a tagged animal. After questions from RAC members and public commenters, the division implemented a technical change to reduce the required photos to three (front and both sides) for the app's harvest code to be generated.

Privacy and enforcement concerns dominated discussion. Several RAC members and public commenters said they fear the app’s location metadata could reveal private honey holes. Lindy responded that location data were treated as protected non‑public (non‑GRAMA) data accessible only to permitted division personnel for job duties (biologists, officers and other authorized staff), and that the division designed access limitations. \"We did make it non‑GRAMA, so it is protected data,\" Lindy said. RAC members asked that the division commit to retaining the option of paper tags in the future and to follow the public rulemaking process if it ever sought to remove physical tags.

Public comment included a statement from Adam Dennison of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, who voiced support for offering an e‑tag option while urging better public awareness that users must open the app and submit the harvest code once they return to service. Other callers and in‑person commenters described trespass, waste and enforcement problems unrelated to e‑tagging but raised them in the same public‑comment block; one caller asked the division to remove misleading walk‑in‑access signage on private property.

Decision vs. discussion: the RAC recorded a formal motion to approve the proposed R657‑73 wording as presented; the motion passed (initially recorded 9–1, then amended to unanimous by a later vote change). The transcript shows the RAC required that paper tags remain available and that any future elimination would require rulemaking and public process.

Ending: The division said implementation would follow rule adoption and app development; Lindy said, \"If everything goes through then time to get it built and going... later this fall.\" Specific rollout dates were not provided in the meeting record.","The council voted to recommend creating rule R657-73 to consolidate tagging requirements and permit electronic (e‑tag) or physical tagging. The proposed e‑tagging system requires hunters to submit harvest photos and retain an electronic harvest code; the policy prompted public and RAC concerns about location privacy and photo requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6149378,"RAC approves changes to sportsman’s-draw rules; allows purchase of points after sportsman permits and group applications",996,2068000,3064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719&start=2068&end=3064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719/thumbnail_2068000.jpg","/articles/6149378/Utah/RAC-approves-changes-to-sportsmans-draw-rules-allows-purchase-of-points-after-sportsman-permits-and-group-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149378-92c8fd37823629eed5b1d779e1f6d19d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579669&Signature=hUPewFCFHHRQ55ZR1Tvln9wDY5SV1IBkJmx6mIfIAVoYagsZjTEZenK0DkIe2dN2j7Gr5rnoFq1xq0z~IABuLDyy0pk2kAQ2ZimPtx5Kx8NkBGp4aAdjJ6EkksaC7FNEl9WO5XBy2wZhCTpmtgQPTqgBFd9kMTwSBm~K9riGPrJvH3fW7sGMf1CPznna6lHmj6052R53A39u793XXOIOj-ZlCseIAKfUgHxK-GqqDrn68GySHYkpab7tKIyq3HVPgMeb0qb-Mcw7v06qnlLgVvNxec-V292weS4qbmQeXvhRouqlmBCoR1J8oc4GyPrkGWdhmZJOoIrlahAIwQ75~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northern Regional Advisory Council unanimously recommended approval of proposed changes to the sportsman's draw rules to allow several administrative clarifications: winners of certain sportsman's permits would be allowed to purchase bonus points for once‑in‑a‑lifetime species, start dates that fall on Sundays would shift to the following day, and group applications would be permitted for the statewide mule deer sportsman's hunt.

Wendy, a Division staff presenter, told the RAC the changes address coding and fairness issues in the application system. She said the proposed change would allow an applicant who draws a sportsman's permit to continue purchasing a point for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime species (for example, a moose point) even though the applicant is ineligible to apply for that species in the same year they hold the sportsman's tag. The rule change would not allow that person to apply for the once‑in‑a‑lifetime hunt in the same year; it only allows purchase of the bonus point to maintain queue status for future years.

The presentation also included a simplification for fixed start dates: if an August 1 or September 1 start date falls on a Sunday, the start date would automatically roll forward or backward (August 1 → August 2; September 1 → August 31) to avoid Sunday starts. Wendy said the change prevents ad hoc date shifts every seven years when calendars shift.

RAC discussion touched on fairness for long‑time applicants. \"Some people have been applying for 20 years and waiting for that... tag,\" said Brandon Zendel, a RAC member, arguing the change preserves applicants’ long‑term point investment. Another RAC member noted the recommendation originated from a specific case in which a hunter drew a sportsman's permit and then discovered they were blocked from applying for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime species; the board had asked the division to review the rule.

Public comment on this item was limited; the division reported one member of the public who \"strongly agreed\" with the recommendation. After discussion, Brandon Zendel moved to approve the division's recommendations as presented; Steve Sorensen seconded. The RAC voted unanimously to approve the changes.

Decision vs. discussion: the RAC issued a formal recommendation (motion, second, recorded vote) supporting the division’s proposed amendments. The transcript does not show final Wildlife Board adoption.

Ending: The council recorded the unanimous vote and proceeded to the next agenda item.","The Northern RAC voted unanimously to approve housekeeping and clarifying changes to the sportsman's draw rules, including allowing winners of sportsman's permits to purchase bonus points for once‑in‑a‑lifetime species, standardized start‑date rollovers, and permitting group applications for the statewide mule deer sportsman's unit.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6149383,"Northern RAC backs housekeeping changes to DWR variance and surrender rules, extends variance window to 60 days",779,1273000,2052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719&start=1273&end=2052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511972-8d5e9cafa19c6337911a0d0cb4515719/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6149383/Utah/Northern-RAC-backs-housekeeping-changes-to-DWR-variance-and-surrender-rules-extends-variance-window-to-60-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149383-a6cf315e63a42ac8c5dc11cb36a18a09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579669&Signature=VDOUaFD1q9Dl5TBGF9cCWYjEzfj5Na-4H2As6cy6yGdD5ihTfW1OMs-7fKimO4cAVUhn8Gy9w~SdfaGK0oLNBO6p0FNBvaMlF8NjkkQD1dqZEEM~4IBH58pfpNzilsnMrgi9U~QnYJQW2Cy795oPtpW4E8CavszvM8t-DwOgbnn1F5PQS2F3x82wJNu1baOLB0KT9MNnoMrbeYnUlwRzbvG-YhMtdbtjD349UzhgZ6Y9tmEwsNPrBBP9PTMfSVbjaSzEN34iX3LfE0J8YHv40I1UkmZPXdZtr5GwIeG50nSiWBATBishM7267Juv9pVYX8Cq5-K-krj-tF6xcrXR9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northern Regional Advisory Council recommended unanimous approval of proposed housekeeping changes to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources rules R657-42 and R657-57, including shortening medical paperwork deadlines, adding court subpoenas as a qualifying variance event and extending the post‑hunt variance filing window to 60 days.

The changes were presented to the council by Wendy, a Division staff member, who said the amendments mainly address timing and consistency between rules for surrendering permits, requesting refunds and applying for variances. \"The current rule does allow them to surrender and get their points minus 1 to the current year... the rule does not allow them to qualify for the refund minus $25,\" Wendy said, adding the proposed change aligns the refund and point treatment for those cases.

Wendy told the council the division also wants to shorten the time to submit a physician statement for medical surrenders from 90 days to 30 days, and to reduce the variance application filing period from 120 days to a shorter interval so staff can process eligibility in a timely manner. She also proposed adding court subpoenas or court orders that occur during a hunt as a new qualifying event and removing COVID‑19 as a named variance reason because the division considers that emergency past.

Why it matters: the rule package affects hunters seeking refunds, waiting‑period credit and variances when unforeseen events prevent them from hunting. Council members stressed the change must not penalize people coping with serious medical events or family emergencies. \"I think a little bit more time is how I feel on something like that,\" Ross Worthington, a RAC member, said during discussion, urging more than the initially proposed 30 days for variance filing.

Discussion and motion: RAC members questioned current volumes and timing. Wendy said medical surrenders account for roughly 17–20% of surrendered permits in recent years and that yearly variances range from about 25 to 50, never exceeding 50 in the last five years. After debate about a 30‑day vs. a longer filing window, Ross Worthington moved to accept the division recommendation with the variance filing window set to 60 days; Rob (RAC member) seconded the motion. The RAC voted unanimously to approve the recommendation with the change to 60 days.

Discussion vs. decision: the record shows the RAC provided a recommendation to approve the rule amendments as modified. This was a formal RAC action (motion, second, recorded vote) forwarded to the Division/board process; the transcript does not show adoption of the rule by the Wildlife Board itself at this meeting.

Public comment: the division summarized public input on this item as minimal; one member of the public submitted neutral feedback and provided no substantive comment.

Next steps: the RAC’s recommendation will be transmitted to the division and, as appropriate, to the Wildlife Board and formal rule‑making channels for the state. Specific future actions (board hearing dates or adoption timelines) were not specified in the meeting record.

Ending: The council recorded the motion and moved on to the next agenda item. No additional conditions or contingencies on enforcement or implementation were stated in the transcript.","The Northern Regional Advisory Council voted unanimously to recommend updates to rule R657-42 and R657-57 to align surrender/refund treatment, shorten medical surrender paperwork windows, add court subpoenas as qualifying events and set a 60-day filing window for variance applications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DWR northern region reports fish surveys, stocking, wetland work and bighorn transplants; losses to bluetongue noted

RAC approves new tagging rule allowing optional electronic tags; privacy and photo requirements draw debate

RAC approves changes to sportsman’s-draw rules; allows purchase of points after sportsman permits and group applications

Northern RAC backs housekeeping changes to DWR variance and surrender rules, extends variance window to 60 days