Votes at a glance: Utah Wildlife Board approves multiple rule changes, MOU and translocations

The Utah Wildlife Board voted on multiple items at its June 12 meeting in Farmington. Below is a concise summary of each formal action the board took, with outcomes noted from the meeting record.

Dedicated hunter rule amendments (Agenda item 6) - Motion: Accept the dedicated hunter rule amendments as presented. - Outcome: Approved by board motion; recorded as carried (vote described as unanimous by RACs and board). The division reported supportive RAC motions and five online comments (three supportive, two critical of the program as a whole). Brian Christiansen presented the item and noted he will transition roles within the division.

Conservation permit program rule amendments (Agenda item 7) - Motion: Approve amendments to align conservation‑permit season dates with drawn tag seasons and permit the division to enter MOUs with State Parks. - Outcome: Approved by board motion; RACs reported unanimous passage. Division staff said five online comments were received (two supportive, three neutral).

Outfitters, guides and spotters rule amendments (Agenda item 8) - Motion: Adopt rule to implement certificate of registration for guides/outfitters and set application/field requirements per statute. - Outcome: Approved; meeting record shows motion carried with three votes in favor and two recusals (board members Kent Johnson and Paula Richmond recused). Item generated substantial public comment (12 submissions: six strongly disagreed) and several RAC motions asking for clarifying language and stakeholder committee input. Division staff and the AG’s office said statutory fee levels remain until code is changed.

CWMU public‑land variance requests (Agenda item 9) - Motion(s): Consider multiple CWMU variance requests to include specified public land within CWMU boundaries. - Outcome: Board approved the requests as presented with direction that landowners be informed of other enrollment options (motion by Gary Nelson passed). RAC recommendations varied by region; some RACs asked for denials or additional scrutiny because of corner‑crossing and public‑land access concerns. Division reported four online comments, all in opposition.

WMA exemptions from license requirement (R657‑528 change tied to HB 309; Agenda item 10) - Motion: Approve rule language to implement House Bill 309 changes and add an exemption in rule (by action of the board) for federal land management employees performing official duties while on WMAs. - Outcome: Approved unanimously. Division staff noted 17 online comments with mixed viewpoints; RACs recommended allowing federal employees a written exemption and several RACs submitted motions to include that exemption in the rule.

Sage grouse translocation (Agenda item 11) - Motion: Approve proposed translocation sites and actions to move sage grouse from occupied leks to vacant but suitable habitat. - Outcome: Approved unanimously by the board; RACs all passed recommending motions. Division staff emphasized the species is not federally listed and that translocations are part of active conservation measures.

Possession and release of pen‑reared game birds (Agenda item 12) - Motion: Adopt clarifying changes to pen‑reared bird rules, including disease testing and obligations for producers not to knowingly release symptomatic birds. - Outcome: Approved unanimously; RACs submitted motions recommending approval. Division staff and disease specialists noted random testing authority remains for the division and that avian influenza and mycoplasma testing are distinct processes.

Antelope Island memorandum of understanding (Agenda item 13) - Motion: Approve the rewritten MOU with Antelope Island State Park to clarify public‑benefit allocations for conservation‑permit proceeds, rotate dates between public and conservation permit holders where applicable, and authorize additional management permits under specified conditions. - Outcome: Approved by the board. The MOU adjusts permit allocation and the distribution of proceeds to increase public benefit and clarifies the board’s oversight role in permit issuance.

Board officer elections - Motion: Elect a new chair and vice‑chair for the wildlife board. - Outcome: Gary Nelson elected chair; Paula Richmond elected vice chair (uncontested nominations and recorded affirmative votes).

Correction noted: an antlerless pronghorn permit advertisement contained inconsistent language (a permit that staff had expected to be listed as one doe had been advertised as a two‑doe permit). Division staff said the advertised two‑doe permit will be issued this cycle to match public applications; they will correct internal processes for future cycles.

The board asked staff to collect RAC and public comments on several contested items and to share those with legislators expected to pursue statutory cleanup in interim session.