H.B. 411

1

FIRE MANAGEMENT AREAS
2 2007 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Michael E. Noel
5 Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill allows the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands to enter into agreements
10 establishing predetermined fire suppression plans.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . requires the division to conduct limited fire suppression strategies under certain
14 circumstances; and
15 . allows the division to enter into agreements establishing predetermined fire
16 suppression for specific fire management areas.
17 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 65A-8-1, as last amended by Chapter 319, Laws of Utah 1997
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 65A-8-1 is amended to read:
27 65A-8-1. Division of responsibilities for fire control and the preservation of

28 forest, watershed, and other lands -- Reciprocal agreements for fire protection.
29 (1) The division shall:
30 (a) determine and execute the best methods for protecting private and public property
31 by:
32 [(a)] (i) preventing the origin and spread of fire on nonfederal forest, range, and
33 watershed lands in unincorporated areas of the state;
34 [(b)] (ii) protecting nonfederal forest and watershed areas [on] using conservation
35 principles; and
36 [(c)] (iii) encouraging private landowners [in preserving, protecting, and managing] to
37 preserve, protect, and manage forest and other lands throughout the state[.]; and
38 [(2) The division shall] (b) (i) take action it considers [necessary] appropriate to
39 control wildland fires and protect life and property on the nonfederal forest, range, and
40 watershed lands within unincorporated areas of the state[.]; and
41 (ii) implement limited fire suppression strategies, including allowing fires to burn with
42 limited or modified suppression, if it determines that those strategies are appropriate for a
43 specific area or circumstance.
44 [(3)] (2) The division may:
45 (a) enter into agreements with public or private agencies, or individuals:
46 (i) for the [express] purpose of protecting, managing, or rehabilitating those lands[.]
47 owned or managed by the agency or individual; and
48 (ii) establishing predetermined fire suppression plans, including limited fire
49 suppression strategies, for specific fire management areas; and
50 [(4) The division may] (b) enter into a reciprocal agreement with [any] a fire
51 protection organization, including federal agencies, to provide fire protection for land and
52 improvements for which the organization normally provides fire protection.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-1-07 5:21 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel