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Legal counsel: Sevier County trail-camera request must meet DWR statute; lack of MOU could restrict year-round use
Summary
A $6,900 Sevier County grant that included $600 for trail cameras raised legal concerns. Counsel told the council deployment must comply with UCA 23A−5−307 and warned that 'Failure to secure the MOU would legally restrict camera usage for six months out of the year.'
The council reviewed a $6,900 grant request from Sevier County that included $600 for trail cameras to monitor trail usage. Acting division legal counsel Nicole Hannah said year-round deployment on public lands must comply with Utah Code Annotated UCA 23A−5−307 (a Department of Wildlife Resources statute) and emphasized privacy and MOU considerations.
Hannah said because the cameras are placed in open public spaces there is no legal expectation of privacy for bystanders, but she warned that failing to secure the required MOU would limit camera usage seasonally: "Failure to secure the MOU would legally restrict camera usage for six months out of the year." Council members asked staff to ensure grant compliance before approval.
