1     
TRANSPLANT OF WILDLIFE AMENDMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Scott H. Chew

5     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill addresses requirements related to the transplant of animals.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     clarifies the procedures for the transplant of animals;
13          ▸     requires the adoption of a mitigation plan before transplanting certain animals;
14          ▸     imposes requirements for the mitigation plan; and
15          ▸     makes technical changes.
16     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17          None
18     Other Special Clauses:
19          None
20     Utah Code Sections Affected:
21     AMENDS:
22          23-14-21, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 382
23     ENACTS:
24          23-14-21.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
25     

26     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27          Section 1. Section 23-14-21 is amended to read:
28          23-14-21. Transplants of big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species.
29          (1) [The] Subject to Subsection (7), the division may transplant big game, turkeys,
30     wolves, or sensitive species only in accordance with:
31          [(a) a list of sites for the transplant of a particular species that is prepared and adopted
32     in accordance with Subsections (2) through (5);]
33          (a) (i) a list of sites for the transplant of each particular species that is prepared and
34     adopted in accordance with Subsections (2) through (5);
35          [(b)] (ii) a species management plan, such as a deer or elk management plan adopted
36     under Section 23-16-7 or a recovery plan for a threatened or endangered species, provided that:
37          [(i)] (A) the plan identifies sites for the transplant of the species or the lands or waters
38     the species are expected to occupy; and
39          [(ii)] (B) the public has had an opportunity to comment and make recommendations on
40     the plan; [or] and
41          (iii) the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., if the transplant
42     involves a threatened or endangered species; or
43          [(c)] (b) a legal agreement between the state and a tribal government that identifies
44     potential transplants[; and].
45          [(d) the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.]
46          (2) The division shall:
47          (a) consult with the landowner in determining the suitability of a site for the transplant
48     of a species;
49          (b) prepare a list of proposed sites for the transplant of species;
50          (c) provide notification of proposed sites for the transplant of species to:
51          (i) local government officials having jurisdiction over areas that may be affected by a
52     transplant; and
53          (ii) the Resource Development Coordinating Committee created in Section
54     63L-11-401.
55          (3) After receiving comments from local government officials and the Resource
56     Development Coordinating Committee, the division shall submit the list of proposed transplant
57     sites, or a revised list, to regional advisory councils for regions that may be affected by the
58     transplants of species.
59          (4) [Each] A regional advisory council reviewing a list of proposed sites for the
60     transplant of species may submit recommendations to the Wildlife Board.
61          (5) The Wildlife Board shall approve, modify, or reject each proposal for the transplant
62     of a species.
63          (6) [Each] A list of proposed transplant sites approved by the Wildlife Board shall have
64     a termination date after which a transplant may not occur.
65          (7) Before reintroducing a big game animal to a new area under this section, the
66     Wildlife Board shall approve a mitigation plan that complies with Section 23-14-21.5.
67          Section 2. Section 23-14-21.5 is enacted to read:
68          23-14-21.5. Mitigation plan related to big game reintroduction.
69          (1) Before reintroducing a big game animal, turkey, wolf, or sensitive species to a new
70     area in accordance with Section 23-14-21, the Wildlife Board shall approve a mitigation plan
71     for the area into which the animal is being transplanted.
72          (2) (a) A mitigation plan described in this section shall:
73          (i) identify the objectives of the reintroduction of an animal;
74          (ii) provide conditions for issuing a permit to the landowner or lessee to take a big
75     game animal, that is causing depredation, during a general or special season hunt authorized by
76     the Wildlife Board; and
77          (iii) describe conditions for removal of a transplanted animal if:
78          (A) transplant objectives identified in the mitigation plan are not met; or
79          (B) property damage occurs.
80          (b) A mitigation plan described in this section may provide for:
81          (i) the scheduling of a depredation hunt;
82          (ii) allowing a landowner or lessee to designate a recipient who may obtain a
83     mitigation permit to take a big game animal on the landowner's or lessee's land during a general
84     or special season hunt authorized by the Wildlife Board; and
85          (iii) a description of how the division will assess and compensate the landowner or
86     lessee under Section 23-16-4 for damage to cultivated crops, fences, or irrigation equipment.
87          (3) The division shall specify the number and sex of the big game animals that may be
88     taken under Subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b)(ii).
89          (4) The division shall determine the number of animals taken under Subsection (2)(a)
90     of which the landowner or lessee may retain possession.
91          (5) In determining appropriate remedial action under a mitigation plan described in this
92     section, the division shall consider the:
93          (a) extent of damage experienced;
94          (b) use of landowner permits;
95          (c) use of mitigation permits; and
96          (d) objectives for the wildlife population.