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Committee backs first substitute expanding Willard Spur Wildlife Management Area to include Bear River Bay
Summary
The committee voted to pass out First Substitute House Bill 244, which codifies recent state actions to add Bear River Bay into the Willard Spur Wildlife Management Area after Compass Minerals abandoned leases and donated water rights; the bill also creates an advisory committee and allows limited structures where necessary.
Representative Snyder told the committee that House Bill 244 (first substitute) would extend the Willard Spur Wildlife Management Area to include Bear River Bay, an ecologically important portion of the Great Salt Lake. "That initial bill... had provisions to encapsulate Bear River Bay as well," Snyder said, and the substitute codifies a recent agreement in which Compass Minerals abandoned leases and donated water rights for part of the bay.
Snyder said the substitute enacts statutory requirements similar to the original Willard Spur WMA and provides limited latitude for the division to construct structures if necessary, subject to oversight by an advisory committee created by the bill.
Public testimony included Jack Ray, waterfowl representative on the Sportsman's Caucus Advisory Council, who said, "We appreciate Representative Snyder's efforts and intent to preserve Bear River Bay and believe this bill is an important step in that process and support it." Garrett Stepkoff of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers' Utah chapter testified in support as well, noting benefits to waterfowl, upland game and migratory nongame species and increased access for hunters and anglers.
Senator Hankins moved that the committee favorably recommend the bill; the committee approved the substitution and voted to recommend House Bill 244 to the full Senate.
