NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Members Present:

Sen. David P. Hinkins, Senate Chair

Rep. Ken Ivory, House Chair

Rep. Scott H. Chew, House Vice Chair

Sen. Margaret Dayton

Sen. Don L. Ipson

Sen. Ralph Okerlund

Sen. Evan J. Vickers

Rep. Kay J. Christofferson

Rep. Susan Duckworth

Rep. Brian M. Greene

Rep. Stephen G. Handy

Rep. Timothy D. Hawkes

Rep. Karen Kwan

Rep. Lee B. Perry

Rep. Marc K. Roberts

Rep. Keven J. Stratton

Members Absent:

Sen. Jim Dabakis

Sen. Peter C. Knudson

Rep. Michael E. Noel

Staff Present:

Mr. Ivan D. Djambov, Fiscal Analyst

Mr. Alexander R. Wilson, Fiscal Analyst

Ms. Greta G. Rodebush, Administrative Assistant

Note: A list of others present, a copy of related materials, and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at le.utah.gov.

Chair Hinkins called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. There were no minutes to approve. The following meeting materials were posted to the legislative website and distributed to the committee:

Mr. Michael Mills, Chair, Utah Lake Commission, explained that the funding would help in the ongoing efforts to remove carp from Utah Lake. A handout was distributed to the committee.

Mr. Eric Ellis, Executive Director, Utah Lake Commission, spoke in support of the request.

Rep. Greene emphasized the importance of completing the carp removal project in Utah Lake.

Rep. Christine F. Watkins offered some introductory remarks about flooding issues in Carbon County.

Ms. Joan Powell, Mayor, Wellington City, highlighted a number of flooding issues associated with the Price River.

Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard explained that the request for funding pays for an environmental impact statement that is required before beginning work on the new Bear Lake Marina.

Mr. Michael R. Styler, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), explained that the rebate program offers an incentive for water users to purchase smart watering devices that help reduce water consumption.

Mr. Todd Adams, Deputy Director, Division of Water Resources, spoke to the request.

Rep. Hawkes spoke in favor of the rebate program and the impacts on water conservation.

Rep. R. Curt Webb explained that the request will fund inspections of vessels coming into the Bear Lake Valley that could potentially be carrying Quagga Mussel.

Mr. Greg Sheehan, Director, Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), spoke to the request.

Sen. Okerlund explained that the $2.0 million request will leverage $5.0 million in federal funding that will be used for watershed projects.

Mr. Mark Whitney, Commissioner, Beaver County, and President, Utah Association of Counties, explained that the initiative will help provide water to lands in southern Utah.

Sen. Okerlund gave some background information on the Surveyor Monument Replacement program.

Mr. Reid Demman, Salt Lake County Surveyor, and President, Utah Association of County Surveyors, spoke to the request and responded to questions related to penalties for destroying historical markers and the possibility of using civil engineering students to help with these efforts.

Rep. Angela Romero introduced Mr. Richard Nowak, a constituent who runs an aviary in her district.

Mr. Richard Nowak, Assistant Director, Avian Sanctuary and Protection, identified some ongoing operational needs and avian services that the request for funding will help support.

Sen. Kevin T. Van Tassell reported that the $300,000 one-time request for the Constitutional Defense Fund will be used to pay for settlement disputes of land ownership inside townships.

Rep. Stratton explained that the funds will be used by the DWR to reduce the wild horse and burro population to the Bureau of Land Management’s appropriate management levels.

Ms. Tammy Pearson, Commissioner, Beaver County, spoke about the dire situation to range lands and the wild horse themselves in Beaver County and responded to questions.

Mr. Greg Sheehan, Director, DWR, talked about the complexity of the issue and planning efforts to manage the wild horse and burro population.

Mr. David Ure, Director, School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), remarked that the actual number of wild horses well exceeds the estimated numbers. He also stressed the importance of educating the public about the unhealthy conditions of the horses.

Commissioner Pearson discussed the counties' inability to gather and house the animals due to the lack of funds.

Rep. Stratton emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy horse population.

Rep. Kwan was interested in seeing that the wild horse and burro management plan is humane and keeps the public well-informed of the process.

Mr. Henry Maddox, Director, Sensitive Species, DNR, presented the request. He discussed the federal government’s inability to meet its financial commitment to the Virgin River Program. The request for funding will be used to repair a gorge barrier that will prevent an invasive species from entering Utah.

Chair Hinkins indicated that Rep. Noel could possibly present this request during the next subcommittee meeting.

Chair Hinkins explained that the request for funding would support public/private partnerships in educating the public and the public education system on the benefits of energy production in Utah.

Ms. LuAnn Adams, Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), invited division directors to present the building block requests for the department.

Mr. Cody James, Director of Animal Industry, UDAF, presented the building block request for a new fee for the Domestic Elk Program and a fee increase for Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Books.

Mr. Scott Erickson, Deputy Commissioner, UDAF, presented the building block request for Resources Conservation Capital Projects and Resource Conservation Employees and showed a short video.

Mr. Erickson also presented the building block request for Food & Dairy and Weights & Measures Inspections using dedicated credits.

Commissioner Adams presented the building block request for Agriculture Water Efficiency Grants and Study.

Chair Hinkins questioned whether or not the funding for this study could not be taken from the Water Infrastructure Restricted Account.

Mr. Ivan Djambov, Fiscal Analyst, LFA, indicated that statute would need to be changed in order for the funding to come out of the Water Infrastructure Restricted Account.

Mr. Wayne Bradshaw, Marketing Director, UDAF, presented three fees and one building block request for Utah's Own.

Rep. Christofferson asked if steps were being taken to make Utah's Own self-funding.

Rep. Stratton spoke in support of Utah's Own and inquired about the qualifications for membership.

Rep. Ivory offered some introductory remarks about federalism and the development of curriculum.

Mr. Rod Smith, Director, Center for Constitutional Studies, Utah Valley University, discussed the importance of increasing the knowledge of federalism among students and decision makers. He distributed a handout.

Mr. Mike Anderson, Jordan School District, spoke in support of educating students K-12 about the American system of federalism.

Rep. Ken Ivory added some final comments and responded to questions from Rep. Kwan.

17. RFA - Funding for Expansion of Willard Bay State Park Day Use Area - Rep. Perry

Rep. Perry indicated that the funding would be used to plan and develop an additional recreational area at Willard Bay State Park, which is experiencing continued growth and heavy use. He said that he would be submitting some intent language to go along with the request to look for ways to expand other state parks.

Mr. Johnny Miller, Executive Director, FIRM, discussed FIRM's efforts to educate, provide research, and take legal action on issues related to public lands.

Mr. Larry Mullenax, Executive Director, Utah State Fairpark, distributed a handout and explained that the funding will help compensate the Fairpark for revenue losses and monies that were spent on the development and construction of a new arena. He was joined by Mr. David Lewis, Chairman, State Fairpark Board.

Mr. Mullenax gave a brief overview of the Fairpark's history, 2016 accomplishments, 2017 budgeted operating expenses, and the FY 2018 appropriation request. His report included a State Fair Park Presentation.

Mr. Mullenax responded to committee questions regarding the Fairpark's gains and losses, long-term planning, and space for home and heritage arts displays.

Chair Hinkins inquired about the Days of 47 Rodeo that will be held at the new Fairpark arena.

Rep. Chew invited Rep. Sandra Hollins to comment on how her constituents feel about the State Fairpark and the opportunities for employment.

Mr. Greg Sheehan, Director, DWR, explained that the building block request will provide funding for

emergency feeding of deer and elk, fencing materials to protect haystacks, and compensation to farmers and ranchers for damages. The funding will come from the Wildlife Resources Restricted Account.

Ms. Lisa Schneider, Finance Director, SITLA, discussed SITLA's revenue sources and budget line items. She explained building block requests for a RS 2477 Right of Way Specialist, the Land Exchange Program, a reduction in the SITLA Stewardship budget, and four fee increases.

In regards to RS 2477 and state litigation, Rep. Ivory asked how the shut down of roads has impacted SITLA lands throughout the State.

Mr. David Ure, Director, SITLA, indicate that it depends on the county and that SITLA is working hand in hand with the counties to effect the permanent installment of the RS 2477s.

Chair Hinkins explained that the request for $1.0 million ongoing provides for continued public hunting access to SITLA lands.

Hinkins D, Ivory K, Chew S, Dayton M, Ipson D, Okerlund R, Vickers E, Christofferson K, Duckworth S, Greene B, Handy S, Hawkes T, Kwan K, Stratton K