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Hideout participants say UDOT and wildlife agencies rely on outdated data; town urged to contact regional offices
Summary
At the retreat, residents and officials raised concerns that UDOT and state wildlife agencies are using 2018–2020 data for wildlife mitigation planning, and urged coordinated outreach to provide updated local information about development and fences.
Early in the retreat several participants raised wildlife mitigation data as a concern, saying state transportation and wildlife agencies are operating from outdated studies and may not be aware of recent local development.
A participant identified in the meeting as Carol Hazleton, who described herself as "comp counsel" in the session, said the agencies “are operating from really old data,” referring to UDOT and state wildlife staff who had held an online meeting. Attendees said the agencies had done field visits but had not taken into account local fence changes and recent land development patterns that could affect wildlife crossings and mitigation plans.
Why it matters: Changes in fencing, subdivisions and other land uses can affect wildlife movement and influence where mitigation measures such as underpasses, overpasses or fencing should be located. Meeting participants urged staff to contact regional UDOT and state wildlife offices and share local maps and updates.
Participants said a recent agency conversation had referenced 2018 and 2020 data and recommended the town collect and forward updated mapping and contact lists for regional wildlife planners. The group agreed to follow up with regional contacts and to provide emails and mapping shown at the field visit.
Ending: The transcript records a plan to consolidate local information and contact regional agency staff so state transportation and wildlife planners have current land‑use and fence data before finalizing mitigation recommendations.
