Utah Department of Natural Resources

The Advisory Council discussed and approved rule changes regarding Upland game, including the removal of buffer requirements to facilitate better property usage. The meeting also addressed wild turkey management, incorporating mandatory harvest reporting, rule clarifications, updated depredation compensation, and the expansion of control permits. Additionally, the Council discussed urban wildlife management, specifically enabling municipalities to collaborate on turkey trapping and relocation efforts to mitigate damage.

The council meeting addressed wildlife management topics including upland game and wild turkey permit and rule recommendations. Key discussions included regional updates on deer survival rates, chronic wasting disease hotspots, beaver translocation efforts, and staffing changes. Members also deliberated on proposed rule tweaks for turkey taking and depredation management.

The board meeting primarily focused on a comprehensive review of water resource conditions within the state, specifically highlighting a record-low snowpack for the season. Discussion topics included the rapid dry-down of snow water equivalent, state-wide precipitation trends, soil moisture levels, and the potential for record-low streamflow volumes across various basins. The board also reviewed reservoir storage levels and Great Salt Lake inflow forecasts, noting the significant impact of early snowmelt and the risk of continued dry conditions on future water supply and potential fire hazards.

The committee meeting focused on reviewing and scoring 32 non-motorized project applications for the Recreational Trails Program. Discussions included the total available funding, the 30-30-40 rule for project distribution, and the availability of funds for education-related projects. The committee established a process for scoring and discussed the methodology for prioritizing applications, including the potential for block funding and the necessity of making project recommendations to the Utah Recreation Infrastructure Advisory Committee and the Utah Department of Transportation for final award.

The commission reviewed the recreation participation trend study, including the project's background, goals, and methodologies. Representatives from a research firm detailed the plan to integrate administrative, observational, and mobile location data to develop a standardized recreation measurement framework. Five pilot sites were selected across the state to test collection methods, including trail counters, intercept surveys, and mobile location data, to better understand visitor behavior, volume, and patterns.