RAC approves CWMU renewals with public‑land variances; keeps advisory committee oversight

The RAC voted to approve a package of Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit renewals and public‑land variances after advisory committee review but amended the division's recommendation to preserve accountability.

DWR staff said this is a large renewal cycle and that the CWMU advisory committee had conducted detailed, multi‑hour reviews of each application. The division recommended several public‑land variances and map corrections (including a corrected map for Green Canyon / Blacksmith Fork).

Several RAC members raised concerns about public acres included in some CW MUs (notably Old Woman Plateau) and asked for assurances about additional public tags when public land is included. DWR staff explained trade‑land maths and noted the committee had recommended approval with requirements (for example, offering an additional deer/elk tag when public land inclusion pushes a threshold).

RAC members also resisted a proposed rule change that would let CWMU operators skip appearing before the advisory committee if the biologist certified a good‑faith effort in an over‑objective unit. The RAC voted to accept the renewals but to retain the requirement that CWMUs appear before the advisory committee when cow‑harvest objectives are missed.

Public input (11 respondents on the RDCC comment) was strongly supportive of the program.

RAC vote: motion to accept the division's CWMU renewals as presented, but retain advisory committee appearance for operators that miss cow harvest objectives; motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: DWR will implement the renewals with the RAC's modification and publish updated maps and tag allocations.