Compendium of Budget Information for the 2010 General Session

Natural Resources
Appropriations Subcommittee
Subcommittee Table of Contents

Agency: Natural Resources

Line Item: Wildlife Resources

Function

The mission of the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is: 'To serve the people of Utah as trustee and guardian of the state's wildlife and to ensure its future and values through management, protection, conservation, and education.'

In UCA 23-13-3 the Legislature declared that all wildlife within the state, not held by private ownership, is managed by the state. DWR is the wildlife authority for the state under the broad policymaking authority of the Wildlife Board. There are five Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) that gather information and give input to the board.

The Division manages all fish and wildlife species, regulates hunting, fishing and trapping, and conducts non-consumptive activities. The Division employs staff in five regional offices in Ogden, Springville, Vernal, Price, Cedar City, and Salt Lake City.

Some of DWR's goals and objectives are:

  • To conserve, protect, enhance, and manage Utah's wildlife and ecosystems.
  • To enhance wildlife recreational experiences consistent with DWR's goals.
  • To ensure broad-based public involvement in the management of Utah wildlife and ecosystems.

The Division of Wildlife Resources consists of a Salt Lake administrative office and five regional offices in Vernal, Ogden, Springville, Price, and Cedar City. For law enforcement purposes, Utah is divided into districts, with conservation officers assigned to each districts.

Statutory Authority

The following laws govern operation of the Division:

  • UCA 23-13-3 states that all wildlife not privately owned and legally acquired is legally considered property of the state.
  • UCA 23-14-1 creates the Division of Wildlife Resources under the Department of Natural Resources. The Division is the wildlife authority of the state. Subject to the Wildlife Board, the Division shall protect, propagate, manage, conserve, and distribute protected wildlife. The Division may initiate civil and criminal proceedings.

Intent Language

    The Legislature intends that up to $500,000 of Wildlife Resources budget may be used for big game depredation expenses. The legislature also intends that half of these funds be from the general fund restricted - Wildlife Resources account and half from the General Fund.

    The Legislature intends that up to $140,000 be spent on cougar/bear depredation. $90,000 will be from the General Fund and up to $50,000 will be from the General Fund Restricted - Wildlife Resources account.

    Under the terms of UCA 63J-1-402(3), the Legislature intends not to lapse Item 188, Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 2008. Expenditures of these funds is limited to: Bounty & Indemnity Claims $100,000; Seed & Professional Projects $300,000; Construction Projects $700,000.

Funding Detail

Most of the license revenues is deposited into the Wildlife Restricted account. The Federal Funds primarily come from excise taxes on sporting goods.

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $2,672,000 $5,025,200 $5,416,200 $6,903,900 $5,956,100
General Fund, One-time $97,100 $141,500 $1,774,100 $153,000 $0
Federal Funds $11,750,200 $10,212,100 $10,555,300 $12,319,100 $12,879,900
Dedicated Credits Revenue $147,500 $134,200 $144,700 $222,300 $86,200
GFR - Wildlife Habitat $1,323,200 $1,652,600 $2,006,200 $2,758,900 $2,400,000
GFR - Wildlife Resources $25,891,600 $26,449,800 $29,277,900 $26,925,700 $28,787,700
Transfers $116,200 $91,400 $113,400 $167,400 $165,000
Beginning Nonlapsing $376,600 $724,000 $1,190,000 $811,900 $450,000
Closing Nonlapsing ($724,000) ($1,190,000) ($811,900) ($300,000) ($450,000)
Lapsing Balance ($2,909,400) ($3,900,700) ($3,144,100) ($2,058,100) $0
Total
$38,741,000
$39,340,100
$46,521,800
$47,904,100
$50,274,900
 
Programs:
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Director's Office $2,487,300 $2,450,600 $1,565,400 $1,609,700 $4,454,600
Administrative Services $5,087,200 $5,879,400 $6,687,600 $6,122,900 $5,630,100
Conservation Outreach $2,135,800 $2,111,000 $2,337,400 $2,401,900 $2,587,600
Law Enforcement $6,562,000 $7,029,400 $8,116,300 $8,038,500 $8,612,000
Habitat Council $1,376,400 $1,661,400 $2,098,500 $3,308,500 $2,400,000
Habitat Section $6,068,200 $4,274,400 $4,124,700 $5,291,800 $5,694,300
Wildlife Section $6,581,500 $6,862,000 $8,865,900 $7,955,200 $8,162,500
Aquatic Section $8,442,600 $9,071,900 $12,726,000 $13,175,600 $12,733,800
Total
$38,741,000
$39,340,100
$46,521,800
$47,904,100
$50,274,900
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $22,176,600 $23,096,400 $25,901,700 $28,932,800 $29,285,800
In-state Travel $250,400 $204,100 $297,500 $226,500 $318,500
Out-of-state Travel $97,800 $105,000 $144,200 $100,800 $161,400
Current Expense $11,154,800 $12,624,000 $14,342,200 $14,500,800 $15,569,200
DP Current Expense $490,300 $854,500 $1,002,800 $1,258,900 $1,438,400
DP Capital Outlay $2,400 $0 ($53,800) ($205,700) $1,000
Capital Outlay $1,766,000 $469,400 $3,632,200 $2,024,600 $711,300
Other Charges/Pass Thru $2,796,100 $1,987,600 $1,316,900 $1,067,300 $2,827,400
Cost Accounts $6,600 ($900) ($61,900) ($1,900) ($38,100)
Total
$38,741,000
$39,340,100
$46,521,800
$47,904,100
$50,274,900
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 410.1 443.9 468.6 497.8 428.9






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Director's Office

Function

Responsible for the management of the Division, this program has responsibility for strategic, programmatic and operational direction, organizational structure, budgets, personnel needs, and rules. It is also responsible for interaction with the Legislature, Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Board, Regional Advisory Councils, the media, constituency groups, other government agencies, private institutions and governing bodies.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $549,800 $1,189,300 $1,323,100 $1,125,000 $1,004,800
General Fund, One-time ($2,900) ($800) $341,800 $0 $0
Federal Funds $394,200 $206,200 $138,500 $110,100 $486,300
Dedicated Credits Revenue $38,000 $71,600 $50,300 $133,600 $0
GFR - Wildlife Resources $4,637,600 $5,259,600 $2,360,400 $1,855,200 $2,798,500
Transfers $116,200 $91,400 $113,400 $167,400 $165,000
Beginning Nonlapsing $376,600 $724,000 $490,000 $0 $150,000
Closing Nonlapsing ($724,000) ($1,190,000) ($108,000) $0 ($150,000)
Lapsing Balance ($2,898,200) ($3,900,700) ($3,144,100) ($1,781,600) $0
Total
$2,487,300
$2,450,600
$1,565,400
$1,609,700
$4,454,600
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $1,358,600 $1,448,600 $1,732,800 $1,786,200 $1,835,900
In-state Travel $56,000 $52,200 $61,300 $46,100 $69,200
Out-of-state Travel $35,100 $24,200 $26,000 $19,300 $25,000
Current Expense $827,100 $759,600 $1,357,100 $1,057,600 $1,205,800
DP Current Expense $19,800 $16,000 $17,100 $34,400 $23,100
Capital Outlay $0 $3,000 $0 $0 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $190,700 $147,000 ($1,629,100) ($1,333,900) $1,295,400
Cost Accounts $0 $0 $200 $0 $200
Total
$2,487,300
$2,450,600
$1,565,400
$1,609,700
$4,454,600
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 14.6 13.8 15.5 15.1 16.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Administrative Services

Function

The Administrative Services program provides support services for the Division. All financial activities are managed through the Fiscal Management program. This includes Federal Aid programs, revenue collection and budgeting, and contracts and agreements. The Licensing Program issues and reconciles all hunting and fishing licenses with the regions and retail outlets. This program also is responsible for aeronautic services, facilities management, and computer services through DTS.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $167,400 $509,300 $454,500 $529,700 ($319,600)
General Fund, One-time $0 $46,000 $67,600 $153,000 $0
Federal Funds $93,200 $96,900 $96,000 $86,800 $161,200
GFR - Wildlife Resources $4,826,600 $5,227,200 $6,069,500 $5,353,400 $5,788,500
Total
$5,087,200
$5,879,400
$6,687,600
$6,122,900
$5,630,100
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $2,608,700 $2,659,800 $2,698,400 $2,892,300 $3,123,900
In-state Travel $19,400 $19,900 $18,900 $11,600 $25,800
Out-of-state Travel $3,000 $3,700 $18,600 $3,200 $8,300
Current Expense $2,181,300 $2,445,600 $3,072,500 $2,591,100 $1,647,600
DP Current Expense $274,800 $584,100 $698,200 $609,200 $824,300
Capital Outlay $0 $166,300 $136,600 $5,500 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $0 $0 $35,800 $10,000 $200
Cost Accounts $0 $0 $8,600 $0 $0
Total
$5,087,200
$5,879,400
$6,687,600
$6,122,900
$5,630,100
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 45.6 46.3 46.3 47.6 48.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Conservation Outreach

Function

Conservation Outreach is the Division's arm for providing conservation services and awareness to the public. Programs include Project WILD, Discover Utah Wildlife, Hardware Ranch, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, watchable wildlife, nature tourism, nature festivals, web site development, and various other public displays/media releases.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $200,700 $411,000 $312,900 $541,700 $541,400
General Fund, One-time $0 ($700) $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $900 $600 $700 $2,300 $13,400
Dedicated Credits Revenue $95,900 $62,600 $94,400 $88,700 $86,200
GFR - Wildlife Resources $1,838,300 $1,637,500 $1,929,400 $1,769,200 $1,946,600
Total
$2,135,800
$2,111,000
$2,337,400
$2,401,900
$2,587,600
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $1,439,400 $1,406,700 $1,534,400 $1,707,700 $1,784,200
In-state Travel $15,900 $10,400 $13,500 $9,000 $17,600
Out-of-state Travel $4,800 $8,100 $5,800 $5,400 $17,100
Current Expense $607,700 $634,000 $732,400 $621,000 $641,400
DP Current Expense $20,000 $44,300 $43,900 $58,800 $81,900
DP Capital Outlay $17,400 $0 $0 $0 $0
Capital Outlay $0 $7,500 $7,400 $0 $7,400
Other Charges/Pass Thru $30,600 $0 $0 $0 $38,000
Total
$2,135,800
$2,111,000
$2,337,400
$2,401,900
$2,587,600
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 24.8 22.8 24.5 24.9 27.1






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Law Enforcement

Function

The primary responsibility of this section is to favorably control human interaction with wildlife resources by enforcing state wildlife laws and, through voluntary compliance, seeking protection of resources and orderly use of resources. Officers in the wildlife law enforcement section have all the powers of law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Hunter Education teaches safe handling of firearms, respect for wildlife, furbearer education, and ethical hunting practices. The Division operates the Lee Kay Center in Salt Lake County and the Cache Valley Center in Logan. One dollar from each hunting license sold goes to fund Hunter Education.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $752,600 $1,650,400 $2,003,900 $2,023,600 $2,011,400
General Fund, One-time $0 ($1,600) $312,500 $0 $0
Federal Funds $432,400 $393,900 $387,400 $472,700 $775,200
Dedicated Credits Revenue $13,600 $0 $0 $0 $0
GFR - Wildlife Resources $5,363,400 $4,986,700 $5,412,500 $5,542,200 $5,825,400
Total
$6,562,000
$7,029,400
$8,116,300
$8,038,500
$8,612,000
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $5,009,200 $5,311,900 $5,648,600 $6,213,600 $6,573,200
In-state Travel $27,300 $27,900 $31,600 $33,000 $36,000
Out-of-state Travel $10,400 $8,600 $17,100 $13,900 $18,600
Current Expense $1,336,100 $1,468,700 $2,336,900 $1,545,200 $1,875,200
DP Current Expense $50,400 $46,300 $42,700 $170,700 $97,000
Capital Outlay $28,800 $63,000 $22,500 $62,100 $10,300
Other Charges/Pass Thru $100,900 $103,000 $12,100 $0 $0
Cost Accounts ($1,100) $0 $4,800 $0 $1,700
Total
$6,562,000
$7,029,400
$8,116,300
$8,038,500
$8,612,000
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 79.5 76.2 75.4 80.2 82.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Habitat Council

Function

The Habitat Council is statutorily required to advise the Director on habitat issues and recommend uses of monies in the General Fund restricted - Wildlife Habitat Account. The Habitat Council reviews all habitat and sportsmen access project proposals that are funded by the Wildllife Habitat Account.

Funding Detail

The funding for the Wildlife Habitat Restricted Fund comes primarily from sale of licenses, permits, stamps, and certificates of registration.

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Federal Funds $53,200 $8,800 $96,200 $422,200 $0
GFR - Wildlife Habitat $1,323,200 $1,652,600 $2,006,200 $2,758,900 $2,400,000
Beginning Nonlapsing $0 $0 $700,000 $703,900 $300,000
Closing Nonlapsing $0 $0 ($703,900) ($300,000) ($300,000)
Lapsing Balance $0 $0 $0 ($276,500) $0
Total
$1,376,400
$1,661,400
$2,098,500
$3,308,500
$2,400,000
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $335,300 $482,900 $389,200 $448,400 $0
In-state Travel $8,600 $17,400 $5,800 $3,900 $6,000
Out-of-state Travel $0 $0 $1,900 $8,900 $2,000
Current Expense $760,500 $1,039,200 $948,200 $1,748,000 $2,116,100
DP Current Expense $4,800 $7,700 $500 $200 $2,000
DP Capital Outlay $0 $0 $0 $1,400 $0
Capital Outlay $600 $6,400 $715,000 $890,900 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $266,200 $96,600 $37,900 $206,800 $273,900
Cost Accounts $400 $11,200 $0 $0 $0
Total
$1,376,400
$1,661,400
$2,098,500
$3,308,500
$2,400,000
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 10.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Habitat Section

Function

The Habitat Section focuses on analyzing resource development impacts, acquiring and managing fish and wildlife habitat, staffing the Habitat Council process, developing and maintaining a central database on fish, wildlife and plants, administering the Division's GIS program, and running the range inventory program and Great Basin Research Center. The remainder of the section coordinates regional planning efforts and serves as liaison with federal conservation programs.

The Section seeks to conserve and restore wildlife habitats. Staff is identifying high value wildlife areas in the state to help landowners, decision makers, and others in addressing issues posed by open space management. The Habitat Section is also responsible for the lands owned by the Division.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $219,900 $280,100 $175,300 $211,100 $210,300
General Fund, One-time $0 ($500) $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $3,074,600 $1,000,900 $1,325,700 $1,319,100 $1,463,700
GFR - Wildlife Resources $2,784,900 $2,993,900 $2,623,700 $3,761,600 $4,020,300
Lapsing Balance ($11,200) $0 $0 $0 $0
Total
$6,068,200
$4,274,400
$4,124,700
$5,291,800
$5,694,300
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $2,357,800 $2,472,600 $2,984,900 $3,253,900 $3,849,000
In-state Travel $27,000 $24,000 $38,400 $24,000 $51,000
Out-of-state Travel $2,600 $6,200 $14,800 $4,300 $17,800
Current Expense $1,285,000 $1,596,700 $473,000 $1,224,400 $1,457,800
DP Current Expense $24,800 $47,000 $62,700 $108,000 $119,800
DP Capital Outlay ($1,100) $0 ($53,800) ($207,100) $1,000
Capital Outlay $1,632,400 $124,300 $387,700 $823,200 $85,300
Other Charges/Pass Thru $739,400 $3,600 $114,200 $61,100 $112,300
Cost Accounts $300 $0 $102,800 $0 $300
Total
$6,068,200
$4,274,400
$4,124,700
$5,291,800
$5,694,300
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 66.5 71.8 79.0 84.0 61.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Wildlife Section

Function

The Wildlife Section is responsible for the terrestrial wildlife management programs in the Division. It manages and conserves over 350 species of wildlife including non-game birds and small mammals, threatened and endangered species, upland game species, furbearers, cougar, bear, big game and waterfowl. The section also addresses the needs of sportsmen, private landowners and the general public through falconry, Dedicated Hunter, Cooperative Wildlife Management Units, and depredation management programs.

Regional wildlife biologists implement strategies to achieve wildlife goals and objectives planned by program coordinators and detailed in species management plans such as those enacted for deer and elk. Biologists conduct surveys and closely monitor wildlife populations and habitat conditions throughout the state. They make recommendations to the Wildlife Board for the prudent harvest of game species and the conservation of native wildlife.

Efforts are made to help private landowners mitigation wildlife problems by providing landowner programs that allow special hunting permit opportunities and by helping to mitigate damages that result from wildlife doing damage to crops or livestock.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $642,100 $790,600 $932,900 $756,900 $793,300
General Fund, One-time $100,000 $99,500 $100,000 $0 $0
Federal Funds $3,039,300 $3,476,900 $3,896,200 $3,579,100 $3,776,600
GFR - Wildlife Resources $2,800,100 $2,495,000 $3,936,800 $3,511,200 $3,592,600
Beginning Nonlapsing $0 $0 $0 $108,000 $0
Total
$6,581,500
$6,862,000
$8,865,900
$7,955,200
$8,162,500
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $3,542,100 $3,646,900 $4,246,300 $4,531,100 $4,785,400
In-state Travel $41,500 $38,700 $63,000 $54,700 $51,900
Out-of-state Travel $21,800 $32,800 $30,200 $20,800 $35,200
Current Expense $1,914,600 $2,135,600 $2,448,000 $2,082,200 $2,576,100
DP Current Expense $38,300 $52,600 $44,400 $100,500 $105,000
DP Capital Outlay ($5,900) $0 $0 $0 $0
Capital Outlay $24,900 $49,000 $514,300 $83,100 $89,500
Other Charges/Pass Thru $1,004,200 $906,600 $1,443,200 $1,082,800 $503,700
Cost Accounts $0 ($200) $76,500 $0 $15,700
Total
$6,581,500
$6,862,000
$8,865,900
$7,955,200
$8,162,500
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 67.3 75.4 80.7 88.1 75.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Aquatic Section

Function

The Aquatic Section manages and conserves fish, amphibians, reptiles, and crustaceans (e.g., brine shrimp and crayfish) in the state. Aquatic Section personnel monitor population and habitat trends, and conduct studies necessary to make management decisions. Recommendations are formulated and presented to the Wildlife Board for regulating recreational and commercial fishing and collection, possession, and importation of aquatic wildlife. The Aquatic Section now manages the Aquatic Education function.

State Fish Hatcheries

The state hatchery system usually produces and distributes about 7,500,000 fish per year for a total of 1,100,000 pounds of fish. Many of these are planted as fingerlings while about 1,600,000 are catchable sized fish. More than 24,000,000 eggs are taken from hatchery and wild stocks. Most eggs are supplied to state hatcheries, although some are sent to other states and federal hatcheries in exchange for other kinds of fish and eggs needed but not otherwise available in Utah.

Native Species

The Native Species program manages native aquatic wildlife, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and brine shrimp. This program provides conservation, protection, and enhancement efforts to ensure the continued existence of native species while providing recreational and aesthetic values to the public.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
General Fund $139,500 $194,500 $213,600 $1,715,900 $1,714,500
General Fund, One-time $0 ($400) $952,200 $0 $0
Federal Funds $4,662,400 $5,027,900 $4,614,600 $6,326,800 $6,203,500
GFR - Wildlife Resources $3,640,700 $3,849,900 $6,945,600 $5,132,900 $4,815,800
Total
$8,442,600
$9,071,900
$12,726,000
$13,175,600
$12,733,800
 
Categories of Expenditure
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Personnel Services $5,525,500 $5,667,000 $6,667,100 $8,099,600 $7,334,200
In-state Travel $54,700 $13,600 $65,000 $44,200 $61,000
Out-of-state Travel $20,100 $21,400 $29,800 $25,000 $37,400
Current Expense $2,242,500 $2,544,600 $2,974,100 $3,631,300 $4,049,200
DP Current Expense $57,400 $56,500 $93,300 $177,100 $185,300
DP Capital Outlay ($8,000) $0 $0 $0 $0
Capital Outlay $79,300 $49,900 $1,848,700 $159,800 $518,800
Other Charges/Pass Thru $464,100 $730,800 $1,302,800 $1,040,500 $603,900
Cost Accounts $7,000 ($11,900) ($254,800) ($1,900) ($56,000)
Total
$8,442,600
$9,071,900
$12,726,000
$13,175,600
$12,733,800
 
Other Indicators
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Approp
Budgeted FTE 101.9 137.0 147.2 157.8 119.8






Subcommittee Table of Contents