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DWR seeks to add 53.4-acre inholding to Cook Wildlife Management Area; commissioners request tax comparison and neighbor outreach
Summary
The Division of Wildlife presented a proposal to acquire a 53.4-acre inholding inside the Cook Wildlife Management Area; commissioners asked DWR to provide current property-tax figures, compare them to the DWR PILT calculation, and re-contact adjacent landowners before the commission considers mitigation or further action.
The Division of Wildlife presented a proposal to acquire a 53.4‑acre parcel within the Cook Wildlife Management Area and incorporate it into the WMA after closing, which DWR said it aims to complete on or before February 2026.
DWR representatives Pat and Hailey told the Daggett County Commission the parcel functions as summer and winter habitat for big game, including bighorn sheep and cougar, and said the division had calculated payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILT) related to the 53.4 acres. In the meeting Hailey stated, "I calculated that at $26.70." The presenters said the property is lightly used by an absentee owner who inherited it about 20 years ago and that it is accessed by a rough two‑track; there are no known improvements or recent development plans.
Commissioners pressed DWR for fiscal and neighbor‑impact details. One commissioner asked how the projected PILT compares with the parcel’s current property tax and stressed the county’s concern about a "no net loss" of tax base if private land transfers to public ownership. Commissioners directed DWR to obtain current tax figures for the parcel, compare them with the PILT calculation, and reach back out to adjacent private landowners to gauge support or concerns before the commission would consider mitigation or further action.
DWR offered context and potential mitigation paths. Presenters referred to earlier MOU provisions, a recently posted auction for a Dutch John parcel, and a small 4‑acre parcel that had been used in prior mitigation discussions. DWR said legislative changes eliminated rollback taxes in some transfers and stated that SITLA (the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration) controls adjacent trust parcels; DWR described those SITLA parcels as being on its "wish list," but said SITLA controls decisions on sale or transfer.
The presenters addressed access and easement questions: DWR said several upper parcels have recorded legal access through the orange parcel (identified in their map) and that changing ownership of the red parcel would not legally remove access for neighbors. DWR also said obtaining a narrow easement through SITLA is typically straightforward and that, when resale is anticipated, easement acquisition is commonly left to a private purchaser rather than secured by DWR in advance.
On management, DWR said it will begin a management‑plan process and intends to include Daggett County and other stakeholders; grazing was described as a likely component of future habitat management. Presenters said public reaction to broader Cook WMA additions has been positive and noted upgrades to access and facilities.
No formal motion or vote on the acquisition occurred at the meeting. DWR committed to returning with the requested tax comparisons, any available neighbor‑feedback, and additional details (DWR estimated follow‑up within roughly one to two weeks or at the next meeting). The county clerk was asked to place the item on a future agenda once DWR provides the additional information.
What’s next: DWR will provide the commission with current property‑tax figures for the parcel, the PILT calculation details, results of additional outreach to adjacent landowners (where contact information exists), and a proposed management‑plan schedule; the commission indicated it will revisit the item after reviewing that information.
