Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RAC adopts rule amendment to protect predator-control location data
Summary
The Southern Region RAC approved an amendment clarifying that division location data (collar, coyote take, trap/snares) remain protected from public disclosure; the vote passed 8–1 amid debate over public access versus protection for trappers.
The RAC considered an amendment to predator-control incentive rules aimed at protecting location data. Staff said the change clarifies existing practice by making explicit that location coordinates and other site-specific information (for collars, snares and other take sites) are protected under division rules.
Supporters argued that releasing coordinates would invite tampering with traps and undermine the safety and effectiveness of management operations. "Every time I've bounty one, I think, well, who's going to see these coordinates... so they can come and screw with my trapping," said Kelly Lair of the Utah Trappers Association in support of protecting coordinates.
Opponents raised concerns that excessive secrecy can obscure risk to recreationists and houndsmen; RAC member Bart Bautista asked why county bounty data could not be made available to help recreational users avoid high-risk areas and said broad heat maps lack the fidelity needed to know which trails to avoid.
Staff said the division will continue to publish an annual bounty-program heat map but not release exact coordinates, and argued the approach is standard practice to protect trap locations. The RAC voted to adopt the amendment; the motion passed 8–1 with Bart Bautista opposed.
Ending: The amendment passed as advisory recommendation to the Wildlife Board. Staff said the annual heat map remains publicly available and that the change is meant to ensure consistent treatment of location data across division programs.
