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Senate advances compensatory mitigation program for sage grouse
Summary
The Utah Senate gave first substitute Senate Bill 200 a third reading and advanced the bill after sponsors described a compensatory mitigation program that would let developers fund reclamation of sage-grouse habitat by purchasing reclaimed property or habitat credits.
The Utah Senate on the floor advanced First Substitute Senate Bill 200, a bill the sponsor described as a new compensatory mitigation program aimed at protecting sage grouse habitat.
Senator Van Tassel said the bill creates an option for companies or individuals who need to access areas used by sage grouse to "buy some compensatory, property that has been reclaimed, and pay for that" so they can continue projects while adding protections and funding for additional reclamation. "We'll add additional coverage, for the protection of the grouse," the senator said during floor remarks.
Supporters said the program would help channel new funding to reclaim and protect habitat while allowing certain economic projects to proceed with mitigation. The presentation emphasized voluntary purchases of reclaimed property and additional dollars to reclaim impacted areas.
The motion to read First Substitute Senate Bill 200 for a third time passed on a roll call. The transcript records that First Substitute SB 200 "having received 24 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 5 being absent" was ordered read for a third time and advanced.
The bill will proceed through the enrollment process and further steps required for final enactment. No amendments or fiscal notes affecting this action were discussed on the floor during the recorded segments. The Senate President indicated the bill would be signed and sent to staff for enrolling.
