RAC approves mid‑plan review for mountain goat and bighorn sheep; agricultural stakeholders voice support

The Northern Regional Advisory Council approved the mid‑plan review for mountain goat and bighorn sheep as presented, voting unanimously after a brief discussion. Rusty Robinson, the DWR presenter for the item, told members the committee that reviewed the plans was broadly satisfied and that the 2018 plans had been forward-looking and had helped build partnerships with the agricultural community.

A public commenter, Sierra Nelson of the Utah Rural Growers Association — who also served on the bighorn/mountain-goat committee — said she appreciated the division's written stance supporting agricultural producers and noted that plan language stating the division would not grow bighorns at the expense of domestic sheep was important to producers. Nelson said she supported the plans and thanked the committee and the division for their work.

RAC discussion echoed the public comment; members from the sheep side expressed appreciation for the division's approach and for progress in the ag–wildlife relationship. A motion to approve the mid‑plan review was made by Wyatt Selman and seconded by Hunter Stallings; the vote recorded in the transcript was unanimous in favor.

Why it matters: the mid‑plan review affirms the division's management direction for bighorn and mountain goat conservation and reinforces DWR's collaborative stance with livestock producers on disease and coexistence issues.

Details: the committee called out in the presentation praised the plans for building partnerships and taking a stance that supports agricultural producers while seeking opportunities for wild-sheep conservation. The RAC formally approved the mid‑plan review with a unanimous recorded vote.